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Tag: Adesola Amosu

  • Alleged N21b: Ex-Air chief Amosu, others opt for plea bargain

    FORMER Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and those charged with him yesterday proposed a plea bargain with the Federal Government.

    They are on trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged conversion of over N21 billion.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former Air chief along with a former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo and former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun.

    The commission said the three, on or about March 5, 2014 in Lagos, conspired to convert N21.4 billion from NAF.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    The case began before Justice Mohammed Idris, but was re-assigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, following the elevation of Justice Idris to the Court of Appeal.

    Read also: Drama in court as EFCC re-arrests Ofili-Ajumogobia

    The defendants’ lawyers, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) and Mr. Wale Taiwo (SAN), urged Justice Aneke to adjourn so they could explore the plea bargain option with the prosecution.

    Amosu had earlier held plea bargain talks with the EFCC, following his arraignment in June 2016, but the talks failed and trial started before Justice Idris.

    Defence counsel had on July 8, 2016, sought for time to conclude the out-of-court settlement, but it was learnt that the prosecution’s terms were stringent.

    Also in February last year, the defence counsel said they were ready to re-open the plea bargain talks.

    Again, an agreement could not be reached, following which trial continued.

    The anti-graft agency had on January 16 obtained a court order forfeiting N2.2 billion recovered from Air Marshal Amosu.

    Also forfeited was N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to him.

    The money was forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said that though the EFCC has all its witnesses lined up, it welcomed the plea bargain proposal if the defendants were serious.

    He confirmed that the defendants wrote to the commission and that discussions were ongoing.

    Prior to the latest development, the EFCC had amended charge, reducing the number of defendants from 11 to three, removing the eight companies previously named in it.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until May 22 and 23.

  • Alleged N21b diversion: ex-Air chiefs’ trial begins afresh

    The trial of former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu has begun afresh at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Several witnesses had testified in the case over a two-year period, but the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, was elevated to the Court of Appeal last June.

    The case was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Amosu on June 29, 2016, along with former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    The EFCC said the trio, on or about March 5, 2014 in Lagos, conspired to convert N21,467,634,707.43, property of NAF, which sum they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: criminal breach of trust.

    They were alleged to have made several transfers amounting to N21billion to different companies charged with them, such as Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Lebol Oil and Gas Ltd, Trapezites Bureau De Change, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd and Timsegg Investment Ltd.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence which the anti-graft agency said contravened Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3).

    Testifying before the new judge yesterday, an EFCC investigator, Tosin Owobo, said the defendants allegedly used their companies to divert some of the funds.

    Read also: Tinubu urges Lagos APC to work for victory

    Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo told the court that NAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    He said NIMASA paid N3billion paid into the NAF Special Emergency Operation Account domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc in three tranches.

    According to him, the former air chiefs transferred part of the funds to the some “oil and gas” companies.

    He said further investigations revealed that the companies were not into oil and gas businesses.

    “As part of the investigation, we invited the Managing Directors of Right Options Oil & Gas, Judah Oil & Gas and Lebol Oil & Gas Limited, who stated in their statements that they were Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and not oil dealers.

    “They said when the monies were paid into their accounts, they gave the dollar equivalents to the account officers of NAF Special Emergency Operation Account for the second and third defendants.

    “‘They also stated that their companies were registered as oil and gas companies because they were given a high threshold of monies that could be transferred with fewer deductions,” he said.

    Otobo said investigations further revealed that certain money that did not originate from NIMASA was  paid from other NAF accounts into the NAF Special Emergency Operation Account.

    The money, he said, was in turn paid into McAllan Oil & Gas Limited, Delfina Oil & Gas Limited and Trapezites BDC to the tune of about N15 billion.

    He said investigation revealed how the funds were used to acquire properties in Abuja, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and United Kingdom.

    The trial continues today.

  • EFCC seeks final forfeiture of ex-air chief, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a motion for a final forfeiture of N2.2billion recovered from former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had on June 7 ordered the money’s temporary forfeiture based on an ex-parte application by the commission.

    The judge ruled: “An interim order is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the total sum of N2, 244,500,000 found and recovered by the commission from the first respondent (Amosu) which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    The judge also granted an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of N190, 828,978.15 recovered from a former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, as well as N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.

    EFCC said the money “is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    The judge had directed EFCC to publish the interim order in The Nation and Punch newspapers so that the respondents or anyone interested could show cause as to why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

    On Tuesday, the court granted applications by Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) to regularise his processes for extension of time to file an affidavit to show cause as directed by the court.

    A former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, who is on trial with Amosu and Gbadebo, was represented by Mr Oluwakemi Balogun (SAN) Dapo Ogungbe, as an interested party.

    Ogungbe informed the court about an application in which Adigun is seeking to be joined as an interested party, as well as a motion seeking extension of time to file an affidavit to show cause as ordered by the court.

    But, EFCC’s lawyer Oyedepo said he was only served with Adgun’s counter affidavit, but had not received both the application for joinder and the one seeking time extension.

    After noting that there was no proof of service in her file, Justice Olatoregun adjourned until November 12 for hearing and ordered counsel to ensure proper service.

    Read Also: EFCC to push for Diezani’s extradition

     

    EFCC alleged that while in office, the respondents diverted huge sums of money from NAF to purchase properties within and outside the country.

    The commission said following Amosu’s appointment on January 16, 2014, NAF received as part of its budgetary allocation the sum N4.5 billion from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for Maritime Security Support, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NAF and NIMASA.

    EFCC said part of the fund was allegedly diverted for private uses by the respondents.

    Amosu, Gbadebo and Adigun are on trial before another judge of the court, Justice Mohammed Idris, for allegedly converting N21billion from NAF through various companies.

    They are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

    Before the trial started, Amosu had told the court that he was holding plea bargain talks with the EFCC, but the talks later broke down and trial commenced.

    Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014, allegedly removed huge over N663.4 million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to purchase properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

    They were accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo in Victoria Island with N1.5 billion.

    EFCC said they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750 million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi Lagos, using the airforce’s money.

    Other properties they allegedly bought using Air Force’s funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja using alleged stolen funds.

    The defendants allegedly used N428,139,539.00 removed from NAF accounts to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

     

  • EFCC: NAF’s ‘diverted’ funds were for aviation fuel, Boko Haram

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator Tosin Owobo on Tuesday said some of funds allegedly diverted from the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) were meant for the purchase of aviation for fuel and for “operations” related to fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said the funds were transferred from the Ministry of Defence to NAF operation account with various descriptions, including “Operation Lafia Dole.”

    Testifying in the trial of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, Owobo said NAF officers who were interrogated said the funds were for “operational activities” and were disbursed based on Amosu’s instructions.

    Amosu, former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from NAF through various companies, namely Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

    Owobo said a team of eight operatives investigated the case, that he participated in all aspects of the investigation, and that the commission did not conduct raids but searches.

    His team, he said, investigated the sources of funds which flowed into NAF operation account.

    The witness said there were inflows of N1billion on January 17, 2013; N100million on May 15, 2013 and N18.6million on June 12, 2013 from Ministry of Defence Headquarters.

    Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), while cross-examining Owobo, asked: “While doing analysis during your investigations, did you discover what purpose the inflow was meant for?”

    The witness said: “After we began our investigations, the NAF officers we had a discussion with told us that money paid into this account was for operational activities.”

    Ayorinde asked: “Did you ask the Ministry of Defence why the N1billion was paid from the Ministry?” Owobo said: “I cannot remember.”

    Asked if he knew what the N18.6 million was meant for, Owobo said: “We did not inquire.”

    Owobo said former Chief of Air Staff Alex Badeh was among those interviewed during the investigation, and that he made a statement.

    Ayorinde then asked that Badeh’s statement, which was not frontloaded, be provided. He said he needed the statement for his client’s defence.

    But, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo asked that the matter be stood down for 20 minutes to enable him get Badeh’s statement. He opposed Ayorinde’s application for an adjournment, saying it would further delay the case.

    However, all the defence counsel rejected the application for a stand-down, saying it was better to adjourn.

    Ruling, Justice Idris said: “Section 36 of the Constitution guarantees the right to fair hearing, which means that the rights and interests of parties to a dispute before the court should be protected.

    “Where a party to a criminal trial has applied for documents in the possession of the state to enable him prepare adequately for his defence, the state has a duty to make available to that party, duly certified copies of the documents upon payment of the required legal fees.

    “In the interest of justice, I think it is more convenient to adjourn in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. I know that while justice delayed is justice denied, justice rushed is justice crushed. We shall adjourn in the interest of justice.”

    Justice Idris adjourned until May 15.

  • Funds diversion: Ex-NAF chief holds plea bargain talks with EFCC

    Funds diversion: Ex-NAF chief holds plea bargain talks with EFCC

    A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, on Monday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he was holding plea bargain talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    An investigation officer, Tosin Owobo, had earlier testified that Amosu and two other former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) chiefs allegedly diverted N21billion to their personal accounts from NAF.

    He said they diverted the sum through several companies which they personally incorporated and none of which had any transaction or contract with NAF.

    Owobo was testifying in the trial of Amosu, former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris but pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.

    An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after they reportedly refunded about N2billion to the Federal Government.

    EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from NAF through various companies – Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Limited, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

    On Monday, EFCC’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Omewa, told the court that the defence team was currently in talks with the Commission towards reaching a plea bargain agreement.

    “My lord, the defence team met with the prosecution and has proposed terms of settlement. We are still on it, but we are also ready to go on with the trial of the accused persons,” Omewa said.

    Amosu’s lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), confirmed that talks were ongoing, but he sought an adjournment to allow parties conclude with discussions.

    “It is true that parties have met. It is also true that terms have not been fully perfected. Therefore, parties will be willing to come back before the court to report the outcome of our discussions,” he said.

    Owobo had testified that N5.9billion was transferred from NAF accounts to Delfina Oil and Gas Limited.

     

  • Trial of Amosu, other ex-service chiefs resumes Dec. 5

    Trial of Amosu, other ex-service chiefs resumes Dec. 5

    The absence of  Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday forced the adjournment until Dec. 5, 6 and 7 the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu and 10 others charged with N22.8 billion fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) had on June 29, 2016 arraigned Amosu alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga and eight companies.

    The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon HealthCare.

    The case which was earlier scheduled for continuation of trial on Tuesday, was again adjourned to the new dates following the absence of Justice Mohammed Idris.

    No reason was given for his absence.

    The accused are standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

    They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The accused were alleged to have indirectly converted N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force to their own.

    In addition, Amosu and others were alleged to have stolen over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015 and that the money was utilised for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

    The offences. according to the EFCC, contravene Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    NAN

  • Court to resume trial of Amosu, others Nov. 7

    Court to resume trial of Amosu, others Nov. 7

    The trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu and 10 others charged with N22.8 billion fraud, was on Thursday in Lagos adjourned until Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

    A Federal High Court gave the ruling following the absence of the counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

    He was, however, represented by Mr A. Emeka.

    Amosu was on June 29, 2016, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC ) alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga and eight companies.

    The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BIC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon HealthCare.

    The case which was earlier adjourned for continuation of trial on Thursday was shifted to Nov. 7.

    When the case came up for hearing, a counsel, Mr A. Emeka, announced appearance as standing in for the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who, he said, was at the Court of Appeal for another case.

    He informed the court that he was not fully abreast of the case but that he sought to handle the case until Oyedepo was available to continue with the trial.

    He, however, agreed to an adjournment.

    The prosecution’s witness (name withheld) and the defence counsel were in court.

    The accused are standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering before Justice Mohammed Idris.

    They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The accused were alleged to have indirectly converted N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force.

    The EFCC also alleged that Amosu and the others stole over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015.

    The commission said the money was utilised for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River St., Wuse II, Abuja.

    The offences, according to the EFCC, contravene Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition ) ( Amendment ) Act, 2012.

    NAN

  • How ex- NAF chiefs transferred billions to private accounts – EFCC

    How ex- NAF chiefs transferred billions to private accounts – EFCC

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Tosin Owobo, testified on Wednesday that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), allegedly set up a diagnostic centre with the funds he allegedly diverted from the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

    He was testifying in the trial of Amosu and former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    EFCC accused the ex- NAF chiefs of converting N21billion from NAF through various companies, namely Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Limited, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo said his team’s investigation led to an account owned by Amosu and his wife in United Bank for Africa (UBA) in the name of Solomon Health Care.

    “We discovered a hospital and diagnostic centre located in Ikeja owned and operated by Amosu and his wife. Our team also visited the premises at 24, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, when they just started operations.

    “Some equipment were just being installed by General Electric such as MRI scanners, X-Ray machines and other sophisticated medical equipment,” he said.

    Owobo, who had earlier testified that Amosu transferred N677million from NAF to Delfina Oil and Gas and others between March 2014 and April 2015, said Solomon Health Care was funded with money transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas and others.

    He said on January 16, 2015, N145million was transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas to Solomon Health Care.

    On January 20, 2015, the sum of N45million was transferred to Solomon Health Care, while over N93million was transferred to the diagnostic company from Trapezites BDC on January 30, 2015.

    The witness said another N106million was also transferred to Solomon Health Care from Trapezites BDC on the same day.

    Other amounts transferred to Solomon Health Care, he said, were N55million on April 17, 2015; N55million on May 6, 2015 from Mcallan Oil and Gas; N78million on June 1, 2015 and N81million on June 1, 2015 from the same company.

    He said the balance in Solomon Health Care’s account as at April 39, 2015 was N360, 640,636.25.

     

  • Ex- NAF chief Amosu, others in plea bargain with EFCC

    Ex- NAF chief Amosu, others in plea bargain with EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), charged with laundering N21billion, may plead guilty to the offence.

    He and 10 others said they were negotiating a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The defendants opposed a bid by EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, to begin their trial.

    They sought for more time to conclude the plea bargain.

    A plea bargain, according to Wikipedia, is any agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor.

    EFCC arraigned Amosu along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    Companies arraigned with them are Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Limited, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

    EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

    They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime,” an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a).

    Arguing his bail application before Justice Mohammed Idris after Amosu’s arraignment in June, his lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), said his client had returned “collossal sums.”

    “He (Amosu) has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies,” the Senior Advocate said.

     

  • More troops will be sent to fight insurgents, says Air Force chief

    More troops will be sent to fight insurgents, says Air Force chief

    The Chief of Air Staff Adesola Amosu yesterday charged military personnel to always be prepared for deployment at any time especially now that the nation is passing through trying times.

    In a message to the quarterly 10km “Route Match” in Abuja, he said the ‘will’ of the insurgents to fight must be broken.

    But Amosu who spoke through Air Vice Marshal Abba Zannah, the Chief of Policy and Plans said this task should be accomplished in a professional manner.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the third quarter exercise was jointly carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy and Air Force.

    The Air Force boss said: “We have troops out there fighting the insurgents and believing a course and morale are two very important factors for victory in battle.

    “For the troops out there to know that they have enough troops at the home front prepared to support them, it has a way of enhancing their morale to fight.”

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jubrin who also sent a message through Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, the Chief of Administration, charged the personnel to be ready for deployment “in support of national security objective”.

    Jubrin said the keep fit jogging was one way of preparing the personnel to combat the insurgents and engage in other operations.

    The 10km walk took off from the Mogadisu Cantonment at Asokoro, Abuja, through AYA roundabout to Niger barracks and back to the cantonment.