When James Ibori, Bukola Saraki and a coalition of other incumbent and former governors facing graft charges recruited Mrs. Farida Waziri to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), SaharaReporters did a detailed expose on her recruitment and eventual "clearance" by the Nigerian senate, despite loud protestations from conscientious Nigerian citizens and civic groups Mrs. Waziri was forced on Nigerians as EFCC chairperson.

SaharaReporters has also documented Waziri’s incompetence and many corrupt deals since assuming leadership of the anti-graft agency. Our detailed reports on her stint at the special-fraud unit of the Nigeria Police Force showed that she was in cahoots with major perpetrators of advance fee fraud ("419"). Under her watch, 419 crimes skyrocketed. A source recently disclosed to us that, in her days on the special-fraud unit, she remained a regular face at the Federal Palace Ikoyi hotel suite maintained by Fred Ajudua, a notorious 419 kingpin.

Our more recent investigation into her tenure at the EFCC has revealed a lot more troubling facts of her involvement in direct stealing of EFCC funds. Specifically, she has used her "special assistant" to make cash withdrawals from the agency. These withdrawals have been made under the bogus heading of "information funds".
 
SaharaReporters investigations showed that between June 23 2008 and October 22nd 2008, Mrs. Waziri – with the aid of her blood brother, Yisa Terfa Moses, whom she hired as a special assistant – withdrew the sum of N75 million as “information fund” from the accounts of the EFCC.

In preparation for what started as a petty pilfering of EFCC funds, Mrs. Farida had earlier recruited a police officer of her ethnic stock, a Tiv policeman named James Vandefan Tersudh, to take charge of the accounts department at the EFCC. A breakdown of Mrs. Waziri's "information fund" withdrawals shows that on Monday June 23 2008 she took out N5 million. Three days later, on June 26 2008, she made cash withdrawals of N15 million. She followed up with withdrawals of N15 million on July 22nd 2008 and another N15 million on July 28 2008. 

Waziri’s looting of EFCC funds resumed on August 2nd 2008 with a cash withdrawal of N2 million, followed by another withdrawal of N3 million on August 14th 2008. On September 20th and October 14th 2008 respectively, Mrs. Waziri also took out N20 million in two N10 million installments.

Saharareporters investigators could not determine any specific “information” projects that the withdrawn monies were used for. At any rate, there are no accounts of their usage provided in the account books of the EFCC. However, two sources within the agency told us that Mrs. Waziri used the funds to fete and 'take care' of journalists in an attempt to shore up her badly battered image.

However, the cash withdrawals have coincided with our discovery of Mrs. Waziri's curious purchase of federal government owned properties in the Wuse II area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. As a retired former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mrs. Waziri owned only one plot of land in Maitama area of Abuja. According to our investigations, on May 26 1999, she was allocated Plot 601 at 23 Aso Garden Estate, Maitama Abuja. One Barrister Mike Idoko Ejeh submitted her application.

However since her assumption of office in 2008, Mrs. Waziri has acquired several properties in Abuja. SaharaReporters investigators found out that she purchased from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) a federal government house valued at N50.04 million at number 10 Port Novo Street, Wuse II, Abuja. The house was described in FCDA records seen by SaharaReporters as a five-bedroom detached house with boys’ quarters.

Mrs. Waziri paid N5 million for the property through a bank draft issued by Access Bank of Nigeria. The property is currently being renovated. A source told our correspondent that the Access Bank link was suspicious. On assuming office as EFCC chair she had moved almost all EFCC accounts to the bank where her daughter was employed. Shortly after her relocation of the agency's accounts, we confronted EFCC spokesperson Femi Babafemi who admitted that Access Bank had EFCC account, but he said only the salary accounts were moved there.

It was not clear how Mrs. Waziri paid the balance of N45 million on the property, but a source at FCT told SaharaReporters that the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Aliyu Umar Modibbo, grossly undervalued the property. “The minister was in trouble because of serious cases of corruption, and he offered the house to Mrs. Waziri at a give-away price in order to secure her support otherwise a property of that type in Wuse II cost at least N150 million,” said the source.

Mrs. Waziri's dealings with Moddibo started when “President” Umaru Yar'adua instructed Mrs. Waziri to investigate how another former minister of the FCT, Nasir El Rufai, managed proceeds of sales of Federal properties in Abuja under Obasanjo's tenure. El-Rufai was being sought for punishment as Yar'adua began clamping down on the vocal members of the former regime especially the so-called reformers. 

Yar'adua was responding to allegations contained in petitions that accused El-Rufai of embezzling N32 billion. The Nigerian Senate was also simultaneously probing the alleged embezzlement. The funds at the center of the investigations were monies that El Rufai placed with an FCT-owned loans and savings bank, Aso Savings, from which federal civil servants were supposed to draw housing loans.

Unknown to Yar'adua, Modibbo had withdrawn the funds from Aso Savings and distributed it amongst various commercial banks leaving behind a meager N7 billion. In “gratitude,” the banks paid Modibbo the interests generated from the deposits. Even a Presidency circular asking him to return the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria was ignored. EFCC agents found out about the extensive fraud as they interrogated Modibbo and took his statements – which were forwarded to the Presidency before Mrs. Waziri could see them. Unaware of her agents’ damning report, she commissioned another report on Modibbo, highly favorable, which was again dispatched to the Presidency.

Briefed on Modibbo's extensive corruption dossier with the Presidency, SaharaReporters reported in September 2008 that he was penciled in for removal from office. While awaiting his removal from office, Modibbo hurriedly allocated lands to 24 individuals on September 24 2008. The list of beneficiaries included EFCC chair, Farida Mzamber Waziri, who was allocated the second largest piece of land-about 1 ½ acress- on the list. Coincidentally, the list contained names of top journalists and editors such as Reuben Adeleye Abati (editorial page editor of the Guardian), Adebayo Onanuga of TheNEWS, Comfort Chinezerem Obi of the SOURCE magazine, Mr. Director Uhunmwernkpenma Osa of Insider Weekly and Bala Dan Abu of Newswatch.

An FCT official told Saharareporters that all ministerial approvals derive from land applications. Two of the editors we contacted stressed the same point. Still, an official at the EFCC familiar with details of Modibbo’s corrupt deals told Saharareporters that the former minister's decision to allocate lands to Mrs. Waziri alongside top newspaper editors was done to ensure that the transaction was not reported – and that Modibbo’s extensive scams at the FCT were covered up.

On receiving the list, we contacted Comfort Obi, publisher of the SOURCE and a member of the Police Service Commission (PSC), a body that recently dismissed former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu from the police. Ms. Obi told our reporter that she got land alongside other editors by applying for it, noting that there was nothing unusual about it. She also said some editors got land allocations in Abuja two years before her crew got theirs.  Also, Mr. Bayo Onanuga of TheNEWS told Saharareporters   that he purchased the land in Abuja legitimately like every other Nigerian, and that he paid for it. He further told our reporter that the former minister did not give land to any editor for free, underlining that some of the editors had a difficult time putting the money together for their allocations.

Mrs. Waziri's Certificate of Occupancy was offered to her the next day. The C of O read that she was allocated Plot 1460 of 25 Trent River Street, Maitama, Abuja with file number 60219 in Cadastral zone B06 of MABUSHI. The land area size is 2336.26 square metres.

However, her plot soon became the subject of a hide-and-seek game. According to a source within the FCT who knew about the transactions, Mrs. Waziri and the former minister suspected that SaharaReporters was aware of the land allocation to her. Waziri arranged with the FCT to change the ownership of her land. On October 13 2008, the Federal Capital Territory Administration Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) wrote her a "withdrawal letter" titled "Notice of Withdrawal of right of Occupancy." The short letter, addressed to Mrs. Farida Mzamber Waziri, stated that her Right of Occupancy to Plot 1460 within B06 MABUSHI was revoked by "DISCRETION BY AUTHORITY". The letter listed the director of development control, director legal, and director “URP” as the source of the letter. 

Two days after the revocation, the same plot was allocated to Mrs. Waziri's daughter, Zainab Naomi Salawu. The same plot was now assigned a new file number GO 60167. In an attempt to hide the exact identity of the re-allocated land, FCT officials gave the address as 2 River Trent Crescent, Maitama Abuja. 

In a move that betrayed her stake in the land, Mrs. Waziri sent Mohammed A. Bako, the EFCC protocol officer, to sign a letter accepting the land. Bako, who signed on behalf of Zainab Naomi Salawu, gave his EFCC office phone number 09-6441118, and Mobile number: 0803-325-5447  his e-mail address, abako@efccnigeria.org, as well as his home address in Karu Phase 1 area of Abuja.  Zainab Salawu is believed to own a hair saloon in London known as "Naomi Davids".

The land grab by Mrs. Waziri is coming on the heels of our recent revelation of her receipt of a Mercedes Benz GL 450 gift from Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom.

Our efforts to reach Aliyu Moddibo – whose removal led him to weep openly at his handing over ceremony – did not yield any results. Two of his former aides claimed he was out of Nigeria but sources knowledgeable about his whereabouts said he is currently in Kano where he maintains a sprawling mansion he “commissioned” a few weeks ago.

Comments (40)

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British Nigerian said:

... This picture of "Naomi David" salon is my local hair salon in Hatfield town centre, Hertfordshire, UK. It is a pretty low-budget outfit. It subcontracts the hair cutting side to some Ghanian barbar previously. I will boycott that site with immediate effect.

January 17, 2010

dayo amos said:

... as par the editors,there is nothing bad if lands are alocated to individual thru due process. But for Waziri well alot of people complained when she was presented,those who know her well, her days in police....etc.so we are not suprised.

January 05, 2010

NDAGI BIDA muhammad said:

... she deserved gift as gratification as anti graft agency do collect bribery secretly. they are still policemen

December 30, 2009

Sola ABDUL said:

... To be honest with ourself, there is nothing bad about straight forward application for, and allocation of land to all the people mentioned here. Afterall they are all human being like others, been a reporter should not deny them the right to a piece of land. Afterall Nigeria belong to all of us (including the people at sahara reporters if they are Nigerians). I shall like to read more of the reasons why they would not be deemed entitle to a peice of land legitimately. Please throw some more light to how they acquire this land to convence the world of their fradulent act (if they had commited one). AS FOR MADAM EFCC & MALAM MODIBO I RESERVE MY COMMENTS

December 11, 2009

Idongesit Ubonabasi said:

... Please, i really need full explanation of this story both on the part on Reuben Adeleye Abati & Dan Abu otherwise i will throw all the respect i have for them into the dustbin. Thank you and GOD HELP NIGERIA.

December 01, 2009

Tanimu said:

... please make sure that either you or your sponsors are not dragged into the same type of mess you are reporting of others.

December 01, 2009

Tanimu said:

... I sincerely hope that, the investigators and reporters of this wonderful web add. are not and will never be part of the lots of mess they report about people. well done. keep it up sahara.

December 01, 2009

bankyosha said:

... NO WONDER OGA RUBEN NO DEY COMPLAIN TOO MUCH NOW. ITS A CASE OF 'YOU CAN BEAT HIM, JOIN THEM'.

November 05, 2009

Itu eleniyan said:

... When she leaves office, we will know the truth.

November 05, 2009

ade bello said:

... I think Delly Ajufo should be careful wit his comments. Does he realize that Aondoakaa is a Senior Advocate Of Nigeria? The man will sue him oh! You can take too much liberty with him as with Auntie Waziri who though a lawyer, has never practised since her call to bar, or was she called to bar? She'd therefore not know what the code is for public servants.

October 29, 2009

mrs jamjam said:

... look people they re already what they are, so dont add up to it because if u course them(our so call leaders)and God answers we will be in a very deep-shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!so just pray and hope for God intervention.

October 21, 2009

Delly Ajufo said:

... Farida applied and was allocated land,Period.Those who cirumvented the rules are those who should be hounded, not just by Saharareporters , who are doing a monumental job fo the the teeming masses of this country, but by the vaious media houses in Nigeria if they are not compromised. Who does not know that corruption resides in the abodes f the lawmakers and to an extent in the judiciary. Those who governed and looted our treasuries are threatening our lives and insulting our cities. A eg who no know say Andaka dey chop bush rat

October 13, 2009

katie said:

... this is just the begining of the lime light a charcoal calling a pot black that is Farida and his counterpart calling the bank excutives names God will fight for the and expose all their evil plan and political plan all we need in this country is prayers and revolution like Ghana did

September 28, 2009

past ayoola said:

... I am surprised by all these noise; she is bad, no she is good. If you are unbend-able you cannot work with Nigerian imposed government.Remember Ayoka Ekiti REC,can you see what has befallen aunty Dora now.Remember Okonjo Nwela has to quit when the ovation is loud.No one can ever get to the level of our beloved sister waziri in police without haven used her money and body. Nigerian rulers only use people of questionable character so as to keep black file as a hang man rope to turn them to puppet.If you fail to dance to the tune you will be in trouble. The same made Ayoke revoke her conscience and comply to the stato sco.Business as usual.

September 28, 2009

Oluwagbemiga said:

... Is auntie Farida corrupt too. God will judge her for her hypocrisy and deceit. I dont know why people after reaching responsible positions cannot act on the side of the people, she is missing the opportunity to get forgiveness from God for whatever attrocitoes she is alleged to have committed in her Nigerian Police days. Please Auntie Fardia write your name in Gold and avoid the shame that may come for corrupt practices when you are out of office. Resist the temptation, what else do you need to acquire, Repent and seek your God's directive on how to succeed in this noble call.Ignore your brother and clan man depite his role in facilitating this appointment , tell him get thee gone satan.

September 27, 2009

OnYourOwn said:

... The change starts with each individual. Reflect, for you to be born a Nigerian it is more likely than not that will all have varying degrees of the common traits of Nigerians! Remember, what is wrong is wrong, no matter the magnitude. Let us all sincerely, work on our selves first before we worry too much about the next person, this singular resolve will be strenghtened by HIS Grace, and so works on!

September 23, 2009

OnYourOwn said:

... Let no one cast aspersions as there is hardly any Nigerian who is that clean!Have you ever reflected on why you were born a Nigerian and not another nationality?A people deserves the type of leadership they get! There is so much clamour for CHANGE, but the change i say lies with every individual Nigerian! How many are willing to change Voluntarily?! How many when confronted with temptous corrupt circumstances have the will power to refrain? D average Nigerian cherishes Material wealth at all cost in order to show off and make noise! To oppress his neighbour! Look around you it exists in varying degree, amongst varying classes of people. Not for nothing is the nigerian saying "I Pass my Neigbour".

September 23, 2009

jablon said:

... This is serious and scandalous.Unfortunately,this is nigeria,where integrity is in short supply.Leaders cant be bothered about whatever is said about them or their conduct.How can she be effective if she is soiling her hands too.Anyway,no probs.It will soon be over.Greedy lots.

September 19, 2009

Jazz Master said:

... There is nothing wrong in what Madam Farida did. She is a Nigerian and is entitled to a plot of land anywhere in Nigeria. We should stop pulling down people of integrity just because they are fighting a crime we all LOVE...... CURRUPTION!

September 07, 2009

Dessy Momoh said:

... Hmmm! I wonder if corruption can ever be a 'thing of the past' in Nigeria. All we see around us are; witch-hunt, tribalism and smeared conscience. The known patriotic citizens are people who can use the media in promoting their image after much looting. A FAILED STATE with no leadership is what i would describe Nigeria as. We live in an economy of, 'steal and let us steal'.

September 03, 2009

David Adenaike said:

... I don't know what the exchange rate is in Nigeria, but I really don't anyone spending 150 million naira to build a private residence in Nigeria. With the type of wages laborer are paid in Nigeria, that money should be enough to a few schools and hospitals not just a private residence. Whatever Farida might be doing for journalists, Nuhu Ribadu did more. Has anyone checked that out? I think we should give Farida a chance to prove herself. I know President Yardua as a blessed man who lacked any greed or selfishness as OBJ. We should forget tribalism and make Obasanjo cough out the loot.

August 31, 2009

Sheila said:

... So what? Didn't Ribadu get land?

August 30, 2009

OSOBA said:

... LET US AS NIGERIANS ALWAYS CONFIRM ISSUES BEFORE WE CRITICISE. THAT MRS WAZIRI GOT AN ALLOCATION OF LAND AS A PUBLIC OFFICER SHOULD BE DEEMED AS BEING CORRUPT. PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN INCENTIVES IN THEIR WORK PLACE SO AS TO SHUN CORRUPTION AND GIVE THEIR BEST IN SERVICE. DOES IT MEAN THAT NOBODY IS ENTITLED TO HIS OR HER RIGHT IN NIGERIA BECAUSE YOU ARE A PUBLIC OFFICER. LET US BE FAIR AS NIGERIANS

August 21, 2009

Kadri said:

... For every deed there's a reward.They shall get their rewards. From the Presidency to the senate,house of assembly,Panel of enquirers,Boards of parastatals,police,PHCN e.t.c. The whole system is corrupt and only "CHANGE" can save us here in Nigeria. All the information we get from Sahara reporters are not found on the the newspapers we have here since majority of them are compromised. GOD HELP NIGERIA!!!!!!11

August 18, 2009

Bola Badmos said:

... It's a matter of time. They will all cry and I pray it happens so soon. The best way to tackle these people is to have proper religious education so that the whole system will be overhauled. When you believe in supreme being, no man no matter how well placed he's in the society won't mean anything to you. Obasanjo himself will be rewarded as he was not very sincere with some of his decisions. Though I refuse to judge them but I strongly believe that "law of Cama" will catch upon them. These people are just too many in Nigeria. They made us leave the country but they will never have rest again. Look at their houses, see the coiled wires, is this for security or what? Funny people.

August 16, 2009

Inem said:

... we shall overcome...

August 05, 2009

samsam said:

... GOD KNOWS THE TRUTH, AND GOD WILL DELIVER NIGERIA

July 23, 2009

emeka BIAFRA said:

... am not surprise bcos Nigeria is a FAILED state.i look forward to seeing the actualisation of BIAFRA REPULIC. long live United States of Biafra!!! from emeka Biafra NDEWONU!

July 17, 2009

Musa Azare said:

... Dont blame the old lady, remember she recently said her hand are tied in the corruption fight. Now we know what she's talking about. A plot of land in Abuja is worth all the risks for these monsters........only God can punish these thieves.

July 13, 2009

stehen said:

... Women naturally love ejoyment, its not her fault, she dose'nt love her country Nigeria, one day she will be hunted just like Ribadu

July 12, 2009

Good Boy said:

... @ ann makar. Hmmm...... I guess you are one of the anti-bloggers the Nigerian Government has 'employed' through Aunty Dora's Rebranding Nigeria campaign. Hate them or rate them, Sahara Reporters are a thorn in the conscience of the evil and wicked ones in Nigeria and I hope and pray they continue to do so with great professionalism.

July 09, 2009

ann makar said:

... is there any public officer in nigeria that has not been accused of being crrupt.what has Ribadu done than insult and pass judgment on pages of newspapers.efcc has no adminstrative structures on the ground and ninety percent of efcc staff are from adamawa ,kano and jigawa states all employed by ribadu with out compliance to federal character.tell me one single conviction ribadu seceured in our courts that involve a local government chairman or a commissioner in nigeria.all the noise about anajambi and tafa balogun were cases that obasanjo directed.ribadu could have proscuted civil commissioners,accountant generals of various states that assisted these governors steal money.the woman is doing better belive it or not.she is to me media shy and sahara reporters might have been on the pay roll of ribadu to warrant your sustained biased attack on her immideatly she assumed chairmanship of the commission.better be posiyive in your coverage than misinform people

July 06, 2009

Chixzy said:

... Medua, how are you sure Ribadu is a true Nigerian. Was he not there when Obasanjo and his cronies were having a field day looting our treasury? How many of them did he bring to book? Abeg, don't romanticise criminals.

July 01, 2009

I.L.TAMBARI said:

... This is the tradition here in nigeria.I think there is no accountability,transperancy and fearing in the nigerians leaders.Lets pray for God interferance.

June 30, 2009

alpha gadaba said:

... This woman is going to face the most humiliating experience in her life time after office. Lets watch out, unless God says we will not be alive. She will see fire beyond her imagination when we assume power in Nigeria. This useless woman has abused the privileges of her office and throw aspersion on those genuinely fighting corruption in Nigeria. She is as corrupt as her boyfriends ex-governors

June 30, 2009

AROWOLO ABDULWASIU ADEDOYIN said:

... they are so callous and heartless human being

June 24, 2009

Attahiru G said:

... what about her husband? is he alive ? and who is he and is life style

June 23, 2009

Medua said:

... Only God will Judge this criminals in Nigeria and Bring Back True Nigeria's Like Ribadu to Flush out criminals like her

June 22, 2009

AGU OYIBO said:

... If You look at mrs Wasiri's face, mother of corruption is written on her face. It is not a supprise that she could be found in this act. Infact what do you expect from a retired nigerian police officer of such?

June 17, 2009

tekky17 said:

... IT HURTS TO SEE ROLE MODELS STUPP LOW TO THE POLITICAL FRONTLINE-A RATHER DELICATE PLACE TO DISGRACE THEMSELVES BY BEING CAUGHT BECAUSE OF THIER GREED.

June 14, 2009

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