The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Joint Task Force (JTF) commander Major-General Emmanuel Atewe diverted N6billion to his personal use through four companies belonging to a friend.
A prosecution witness, Nkem Ahidjo, said he owned the companies, which received the cash transfers although none of them had any contract with the JTF.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the money was part of N8.5billion fraudulent diverted by the defendants.
Atewe is facing a 22-count charge before Justice Ayotunde Faji along with a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga.
An Abuja-based businessman, Mr. Nkem Ahidjo, while testifying for the prosecution, said the diverted money was part of funds allocated by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to the military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta.
The witness said Atewe, a friend of his, asked him to send the accounts of his companies – Jagan Trading Company Ltd, Jagan Global Services Ltd, Al-Nald Ltd and Paper Warehouse Ltd.
Ahidjo said Atewe, who he worshipped in the same church with, invited him to Bayelsa State and asked if he had accounts to which money could be transferred.
The witness said between September 2014 and May 2014, N1.34billion was transferred from Operation Pulo Shield’s account into the Zenith Bank account of Jagan Ltd, while N972.1million was transferred into its Diamond Bank account.
Ahidjo said N2.13billion was also transferred into the account of Jagan Trading Company, while the accounts of Al-Nald Ltd and Paper Warehouse Ltd were credited with N905.2 million and N605.6 million within the period.
Ahidjo said none of his companies was a registered security organisation to have warranted the payments, adding that he did not render any services to Operation Pulo Shield.
The witness said the funds were converted to dollars and handed over to one Engozu on Atewe’s instructions. Justice Ayokunle Faji adjourned till June 26, 27 and 29 for continuation of trial.