The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Amosu

  • EFCC amends N21b fraud charge against Amosu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has amended its fraud charge against former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    He was charged with 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 amendment followed the elevation of the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, from the Federal High Court in Lagos to the Court of Appeal.

    The case has been re-assigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and will begin all over again (de novo).

    In the amended charge, EFCC reduced the number of defendants from 11 to three, removing the eight companies previously named in the charge.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo told Justice Aneke that the amended charge was dated October 15.

    He prayed that it be accepted and read to the defendants for their plea.

    But, Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said although the prosecution had the right to amend the charge, there should be a pronouncement discharging and acquitting the other defendants, the prosecution having dropped the complaints against them.

    He said: “The old charge contained 11 defendants while there are only three defendants in the new charge. The court already has jurisdiction over the existing charge. The old charge must be given a decent burial as it cannot co-exist with the new charge.

    “If the prosecution is withdrawing the old charge for the new charge, there must be a consequential pronouncement by the court. A pronouncement ought to be made regarding the fourth to 11th defendants that are not part of the new charge.”

    The SAN urged the court to rely on Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to discharge and acquit the companies, a submission other defence counsel aligned themselves with.

    But, Oyedepo argued that the court could only consider any objection after the defendants’ re-arraignment on the new charge.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until November 13 for ruling.

     

  • CORRUPTION TRAVEL BAN: Dasuki, Badeh, Daniel, Amosu, Yuguda, 45 others top travel ban list

    •Why presidency took action – top source
    •PDP, ex-Minister Fani-Kayode kick, fault ban

    A former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and       seven ex- ministers have been barred from travelling out of the country under Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The restriction followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6).

    The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.

    Also on the watch list seen last night by The Nation are: ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).

    The ex-ministers are Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide; Bala Mohammed; Abba Moro; Femi Fani-Kayode; and Ahmadu Fintiri.

    Others include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; ex- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin; a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero; and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chairman Emeritus of AIT/ Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Waripamowei  Dudafa (a former  Special Assistant (Domestic) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan); a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike; a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia;

    Also on the list are a former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh; Chief Jide Omokore; Ricky Tarfa; and Dele Belgore (SAN).

    Most of the affected persons are currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices in different courts.

    The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies.

    The document indicated that many of those affected had earlier been placed on similar legal restrictions by the courts and security agencies including restriction of movement, seizure of passport, temporary forfeiture of assets, freezing of accounts and others.

    Explaining the government’s action in a statement yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu said:  “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

    “To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.

    “Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes.

    “It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.

    “The Buhari administration reassures all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.

    “Accordingly, this administration will uphold the rule of law in all its actions and the right of citizens would be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution.

    “We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.”

    A top government official, who spoke in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm on E06.

    The source said: “The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets.

    “Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order.

    “Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”

    PDP rejects travel ban, says it’s prelude to full-blown fascism

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the travel ban outright, dismissing it as an attempt by the Buhari administration to foist full-blown fascism on the country.

    Spokesman for  the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the travel restriction was illegal, draconian and targeted at members of opposition parties, perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are perceived to be averse to the President’s re-election bid.

    He said: “We hope this is not a ploy to harm certain eminent Nigerians on the claims of resisting travel restrictions.

    “The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies, without recourse to due process of the law.

    “While the PDP notes that the Buhari Presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clamp down on the opposition and our supporters will be totally unacceptable.

    “What this means is that all Nigerians, particularly, opposition members, members of the business community and religious leaders, have become endangered and stand the risk of state violence under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    “The PDP therefore alerts the international community to hold the Buhari Presidency responsible should any harm befall any opposition leader, key members of the business community and religious leaders across the country as we march towards the 2019 general elections.”

    The PDP maintained that no amount of intimidation, harassment and foisting of fascism will deter Nigerians from their determination to rally on its platform to oust the APC from power next year.

    Fani-Kayode too

    One of the affected persons, Femi Fani-Kayode, described the ban as “utterly shameful and condemnable”.

    He alleged that the ban was targeted at members of the opposition.

    The ex-Minister of Aviation said: “The banning of 50 prominent Nigerians who are all members of the opposition from travelling out of the country by Buhari’s Executive Order and the power to confiscate their assets even though they have not been empowered to do so by a court of law or convicted of any offence is utterly shameful and condemnable.

    “It is nothing less than a descent into fascism and a violation of the fundamental human rights and civil liberties of the individuals that have been directly affected and the Nigerian people.

    “It is also a usurpation of the role of the Judiciary. Buhari is so desperate to remain in power that he has now resorted to attempting to muscle and intimidate the opposition. He forgets that he is not God and that he will soon leave power.

    “I condemn his lawless and desperate ways in the strongest terms. Only dictators behave in this way and Buhari has proved to be the most brutal and callous of them all in the history of our nation. I challenge him to do his worse and enjoy the short time that he has left in office. Sadists never last. Soon it will all be over and he will account for his evil ways and brought to justice.”

    List of affected persons

    S/N/   CASE NO/CHARGE NUMBER &  COURT OF TRIAL

    PARTIES

    NPF

    1          FHC/ABJ/CR/48/2017                               FRN VS GABRIEL SUSWAM &

    2 ORS

    2          FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2017                            FRN VS SOLOMON WOMBO &

    2 ORS

    3          FHC/MKD/CR/72/2017                             FRN VS ORAYEV

    AUGUSTINE AVAAN & 8 ORS

    4          FCT/ABJ/CR/129/2017                             IGP VS RICHARD GBANDE & 2 ORS

    5          FCT/ABJ/CR/128/2017                             IGP VS RICHARD GBANDE & ORS

    6          FHC/L/18C/2015                                        IGP VS MOSHOOD JUBRIL

    1. FHC/CA/3C/2018-FHC,

    CALABAR                                                    FRN VS PETER AGI & 1 OTHER

    8          FHC/L472C/2015                                       IGP VS OWOLABI OLUKUNLE &

    11 ORS

    9          FHC/L/376C/2015                                      IGP VIS BAKARE JELILI

    10       FHC/L/523C/2015                                      IGP VIS ADESA JIMOH & 2 ORS

    11       FHC/L317C/2015                                       IGP VS KAYODE MORUF & ORS

    12       FHC/L/286C/2015                                      IGP VS JAMIU AJANI & 2 ORS

    13       FHC/L144C/2016                                       IGP VS GANIYU SULAIMAN

    14       FHC/L/139C/2016                                      IGP VS SHOLOLA OMOLARA &

    2 ORS

    15       FHC/L/394C/2016                                      FRN VS BILLIAMINU ABDULLAHI &                                                               ORS

    16       FHC/L/456C/2016                                      IGP VS TUMBIRI EZEKIEL & 11 ORS

    17       FHC/ABJ/CR/117/2017                            FRN VS ILIYA JAMES & ORS

    18       FHC/ABJ/CR/89/2017                               FRN VS AYINDE THOMAS

    19       FHC/ABJ/CR/182/2017                            FRN VS CHIMA MIKE & ORS

    20       FHC/ABJ/CR/94/2017                               FRN VS LUCKY UDOBI & ORS

    21       FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2017                               FRN VS ISMAIL OGALA & 2 ORS

    22       FHC/ABJ/CR/41/2018                               FRN VS RITA ISAAC & 2 ORS

    23       FHC/ABJ/CR/41/2018                               FRN VS ALIYU UMAR & 3 ORS

    24       HIGH COURT OF

    LAGOS 16 & 24                                         STATE VS CHUKWUDUMEME

    ONWUAMADIKE “EVANS & 2 ORS’’

    25       CR/265/C/2017                                           HENRY CHIBUEZE

    AKA “VAMPIRE” & 5 ORS

    26       CR/90/2017                                                 STATE VS HON. NASIRU

    UMAR RONI & 5 ORS

    27       CMC/TUM/98CR/2017                              STATE VS SHANONO

    ALH. AHMED & OTHER

    28       I/75C 2016 HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS MUHAMMED

    WELI & 1 OTHER

    29       I/137C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 16 IBADAN                                  C. O. P. VS ABDULLAHI

    GARUBA & 3 ORS

    30       I/211C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 18 IBADAN                                  C. O. P. VS DAHIRU

    MOHAMMED

    31       I/172C/2017 -HIGH

    COURT 17 IBADAN                                 C. O. P. VS JOSEPH

    UDOMA & 3 ORS

    32       I/184C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 19 IBADAN                                 C. O. P. OWOYOMI OKE & 1 OTHER

    33       I/49C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS KABIRU ALI & 2 ORS

    34       I/69C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 4, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS TUNED IBRAHIM &

    2 ORS

    35       I/132C/2017 -HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS TUNED IBRAHIM &

    3 ORS

    36       MOG/03C/2017                                          C. O. P. VS MUTAIRU

    MOHAMMED & 2 ORS

    37       HOY/11C/2016                                           C. O. P. VS SEGUN OMOLADUN

    38       MI/31C/2016                                                C. O. P. VS MUSA SALEH & 4 ORS

    39       CR: 32/2016/MOG10C/2016                  STATE VS JAMIL UMAR & 6 ORS

    40       CR: 34/2016/MOG12C/2016                  STATE VS SUNDAY EDOREN & 3                                                                 ORS

    41       CR: 42/2016/MOG/11C/2016                 STATE VS GOODLUCK OGHENE

    & 4 ORS

    42       CR: 49/2016/MCI/12C/2016                    STATE VS OYIBO SHELL & 2 ORS

    43       STATE VS EFE REUBEN

    44       CR: 78/2016/MOG/44C/2016                 STATE VS GODSTIME

    EKWEREME & 2 ORS

    45       CR: 78/2016/MK/16C/2016                     STATE VS SMART

    ONOLOGBE & 1 OTHER

    46       CR: 81/2016/CMA/259C/2016               STATE VS REUBENOJOGWU & 2                                                                 ORS

    47       MAB/1064C/2017                                      C. O. P. CHINOYEN AGU & ORS

    48       KTX/06/2018-HIGH

    COURT KATSINA                                      C. O. P. VS IBRAHIM

    MU’AZU & 1 OTHER

    NAPTIP

    49       FHC/L/48C/2018-FEDERAL

    HIGH COURT LAGOS JUDICIAL

    DIVISION                                                      NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE VS

    PROSSY NIGERIA LTD. & 6 ORS

    50       FHC/L/185C/2017 -FEDERAL

    HIGH COURT LAGOS JUDICIAL          DIVISION FEDERAL

    REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA VS

    HIZEC MARINE SERVICES LTD &

    4 ORS

    51       FHC/CA/CS/40/2017CALABAR

    JUDICIAL DIVISION                                  MAGGPIY TRADING TFZE VS NIGERIA

    CUSTOMS SERVICE BOARD &

    2 ORS

    ICPC

    52       HU/4C/2017- ABIA STATE

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. DR. PHILIPS NTO & 2 ORS

    53       FCT/HC/CR/92/12-

    COURT 10, APO  FCT                              FRN V. SUNDAY EHINDERO &

    JOHN OBANIYI

    54       ID/412C/13-COURT

    1, AWKA ANAMBRA STATE                 FRN V. EZEONWUKA INNOCENT

    55       KWS/56C/2016-KWARA STATE

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. DR. SA AD AYINLA

    ALANAMU & 2 ORS

    56       FHC/ABJ/CR/169/13-FED

    HIGH COURT 7, ABUJA                          FRN V. PROF. (SENATOR)

    DAVID IORNEM, & 2 ORS.

    57       FHC/EN/CR/72/15-FED.

    HIGH COURT 2, ENUGU                         FRN V. (1). PROF. E. ONYENEJE (2).

    1. LEONARD UGWU,

    (3). ELDER FREDRICK

    ONAH, (4). MR. BASIL OFFOR

    58       HU/38C/2016                                              FRN V. (1). COSMOS NDUKWE,

    (2). CONK PRODUCTION NIG. LTD.

    (3). CHIJIOKE OKONKWO

    59       HU/90C/2017-HIGH COURT

    4, UYO, AKWAIBOM                                FRN VS  EPHRAIM SUNDAY AKPAN

    60       PHC/888CR/2013-RIVERS

    STATE HIGH COURT

    4, SITTING IN

    PORTHARCOURT                                    FRN VS. ASO ADASA

    MORRISSON AND ORS.

    61       FCT/HC/CR/112/1-                                     FRN V. JOE EJE OKHIKU

    (FORMER ACTING

    DIRECTOR, NEWS AGENCY OF                                                                     NIGERIA)

    62       HCL/63C/2017-HIGH COURT

    OKENE KOGI STATE                              FRN V. ZACCAEUS ATTE

    63       MHC/73/2016- HIGH COURT

    MAKURDI, BENUE STATE                     FRN V. DONALD ANAGERIDE &                                                                     ANOR.

    64       K/ICPC02/2016                                          FRN V. RABIU T. WADA

    65       FHC/ABJ/CR/288/2015-

    FEDERAL HIGH COURT

    ABUJA                                                          FRN V. YEMI ARIS OLANIRE

    66       CR/136/2017- FCT

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. IBRAHIM HASSAN

    67       FHC/A1/59C/2013                                     FRN V. HENRY ALOR AND ANOR

    68       FCT/HC/CR/2014                                       FRN V. YUSUF AGABI & 3 ORS.

    69       KB/HC/27C/2017                                       FRN V (1) ALH. GARBA KAMBA

    (2) MOHAMMED TUNGA

    (3) ALH SAIDU DAKINGARI

    70       FCT/HC/CR/2003-FCT

    HIGH COURT 9                                         FRN V. MOHAMMED  ALI BALOGUN

    71       ZMS/GS/53C/2015                                    FRN V. SANI AHMED YERIMA &

    3 ORS.

    72       HU/36C/2015                                              FRN V. EZE BOB UBIARU

    73       CR/78/2014-COURT

    4, MAITAMA,FCT                                       FRN V.  VS. AMINU BELLO                                                                                SULEIMAN

    74       CR/136/15-FCT HIGH

    COURT, MAITAMA, COURT 4               FRN VS. ADEOLU ADEYANJU

    75       CR/276/2016-COURT 19, APO             FRN VS. MAJOR SAM

    76       HC/11C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 2, CALABAR                               FRN VS MICHAEL OKPO & 1 OTHER

    77       HC/65C/2016-CROSS

    RIVER STATE                                            FRN VS. DR. ITAM ABANG

    78       CR/287/2017 &

    CR/37/2018-FCT HIGH COURT

    NO 16 JABI & FEDERAL HIGH

    COURT NO. 10                                           FRN VS. ALIYU SANDA MAIMUNA

    79       PLD/J10C/2017-PLATEAU

    STATE HIGH COURT 5, JOS                 FRN VS. ISTIFANUS MWANSAT & 7 ORS

    80       CR/92/2018-COURT 37, ZUBA              FRN VS. DR. OBARO & 2 ORS

    EFCC

    81       FHC/ABJ/CR/181/2016                            FRN V AHMADU UMAR (ALIAS RT.

    HON. AMADU FINTIRI)

    82       FHC/ABJ/CR/148/2016                            FRN V EDIDIONG & ORS

    83       FHC/L/280C/16                                           FRN V. AIR MARSHAL AMOSU

    NUNAYO & 10 ORS

    84       FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2016                            FRN V OLAJIDE OMOKORE & 5 ORS.

    85       FHC/L/135C/2017                                      FRN VS. MUHAMMED

    DELE BELGOE SAN & ORS

    86       LD/2514C/16                                               FRN V. RICKY TARFA (SAN)

    87       LD/3671C/2016                                          FRN V HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI

    OFILI AJUMOGOBIA & ANOR

    88       FHC/IB/26C/2017                                       FRN VS OLOYE JUMOKE AKINJIDE & 2 ORS

    89       FHC/L/251C/16                                           FRN V NENADI ESTHER USMAN,

    FEMI FANI KAYODE & 2 ORS

    90       FHC/L/106C/2017                                      FRN V CHRISTIAN NWOSU AND ORS

    91       FHC/L/337C/16                                           FRN V WARIP AMOWEI

    EMMANUEL DUDAFA & ORS

    92       FHC/L/238C/2016                                      FRN V WARIP AMOWEI

    EMMANUEL DUDAFA & ANOR.

    93       FHC/L/31C/2016                                        FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 11 ORS

    94       FHC/L/553C/2016                                      FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 11 ORS

    95       FHC/511C/2016                                         FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 6 ORS

    96       LD/217C/15                                                 FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM,

    MAJOR GENERAL EMMANUEL

    ATEWE & ORS

    97       LD/218C/15                                                 FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 6 ORS

    98       FHC/L/149/16                                              BABA JARUNA JAURO & 2 ORS

    99       FHC/L/148C/16                                           FRN V CALISTUS & 3 ORS

    100     FHC/GM/33C/2011                                    FRN V ALHAJI DANJUMA GOJE & 4 ORS

    101     HOS/34C/2017                                           FRN V PROFESSOR ANTHONY

    ELUJOBA, JOSEPHINE ADERONKE AKEREDOLU

    102     I/5EFCC/2011                                             FRB V OTUNBA ALAO-AKALA & ORS

    103     AK/4C/2017                                                 FRN V ADEBIYI G. DARAMOLA,

    EMMANUEL AYODEJI ORESEGUN

    104     AB/EFCC/03C/2016                                  FRN V SENATOR ADESEYE OGUNLEWE,

    PROF. OLUSOLA OYEOLE, MOSES

    OLUSOLA ILESANMI

    105     NSHC/EFCC/2C/2017                              FRN V DR. MAUZU BABANGIDA ALIYU ORS

    106     FHC/ABJ/CR/71/2017                               FRN V DR MUAZU BABANGIDA & ANOR

    107     FHC/ABJ/CR/43/2017                               FRN V ANDREW YAKUBU

    108     FHC/ABJ/CR/329/2015                            FRN V SULE LAMIDO & ORS.

    109     AB/EFCC/02/11                                          FRN V GBENGA DANIEL

    110     SS/33C/2009                                              FRN V ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA & ORS.

    111     FHC/ABJ/CR/297/2015                            FRN V STEPHEN ORONSANYE & ORS.

    112     FHC/ABJ/CR/82/2013                               FRN V DR. SANI TEIDI SHAIBU & ORS.

    113     FHC/09C/2007                                            FRN V CHIMAROKE NNAMANI & ORS.

    114     FHC/L/336C/08                                           FRN V RASHEED LADOJA

    115     FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2015                            FRN V BELLO ABBA MOHAMMED & ORS

    116     FHC/ABJ/CR/46/2016                               FRN V AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX S.

    BADEH & IYALIKAM NIGERIA LTD

    117     FHC/ABJ/CR/362/2015                            FRN V GABRIEL SUSWAM & ANOR

    118     FHC/ABJ/CR/380/2015                            FRN V DR. RAYMOND DOKPESI & ANOR

    119     FCT/CR/42/2015                                        FRN V BASHIR YUGUDA & 5 ORS.

    120     FCT/CR/43/2015                                        FRN V COL. MOHAMMED

    SAMBO DASUKI & 4 ORS.

    123     EHC/74C/2017                                           FRN V INNOCENT AZUBIKE UMEZULIKE

    124     FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07                                    FRN V ORJI UZOR KALU & ORS.

    125     FHC/ABJ/CR/86/07                                    FRN V SAMINU TURAKI & ORS.

    126     FCT/CR/64/2012                                        FRN V ESAI DANGABAR & 7 ORS.

    127     FHC/LF/CR/34/2011                                  FRN V ALIYU AKWE DOMA & 2 ORS.

    128     FHC/ABJ/CR/293/2015                            FRN V MURTALA NYAKO & ORS.

    129     FHC/ABJ/CR/05/16                                    FRN V OLISA METUH & ANOR.

    130     FCT/HC/20/16                                             FRN V AIR VICE MARSHAL

    OLUTAYO OGUNTOYIBO

    131     FHC/ABJ/CR/92/2016                               FRN V AIR VICE MARSHAL

    MOHAMMED DIKKO UMAR

    132     CR/182/2016                                               FRN V AVM. ALKALI MOHAMMED MAMU

    133     FHC/ABJ/CR/113/2016                            FRN V ROBERT AZIBOLA & 2 ORS.

    134     FCT/CR/177/2017                                      FRN V SENATOR BALA MOHAMMED

    135     FHC/ABJ/CR/141/16                                 FRN V EMEKA MBA & ORS

    136     KTH/34C/2016                                            FRN V IBRAHIM SHEHU SHEMA & 3 ORS.

    137     FHC/ABJ/CR/186/2016                            FRN V AVM MARSHAL

    TONY OMENYI AND ANOR

    138     FHC/ABJ/CR/42/2016                               FRN V ABBA MORO & ORS

    139     FHC/ABJ/CR/224/2016                            FRN V ASHINZE & 8 ORS.

    140     CR/210/16                                                    FRN V VICE AD. JIBRIN & 3 ORS.

    141     FHC/ABJ/CR/142/16                                 FRN V OLUGBENGA OBADINA AND ANOR.

     

    NDLEA

    142     FCH/L65/18                                                 FRN V IGAN EGHEOSA

    143     FHC/244C/12                                              FRN V. ADEGBOYEGA AYOBAMI ADENIJI

    144     FHC/AWK/37C/2015 FHC/

    AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE                     FRN V IKEJIAKU SYLVESTER

    CHUKWUNWENDU & 3 ORS

    145     FHC/EN/CR/53/2015ENUGU,

    ENUGU STATE                                          FRN V EDDIE IFEANYICHUKWU

    DAYSON & 3 ORS

    146     FHC/AK/56C/2015-FHC AKURE,

    ONDO STATE                                            FRN V AUGUSTINE FRIDAY

    USIFO & ANOR

    147     FHC/L/519C/2015-FHC LAGOS            FRN V UBA HARRIS ALAEKWE & 13 ORS

    148     FHC/ASB/21C/2016                                  FHC V ANTHONY CHUKWUEMEKA

    UMOLU & 8 ORS (INCLUDING

    FOUR MEXICANS)

    149     FHC/L/232C/2016-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V JOHN VINCENT ARINZE

    150     FHC/AK/CS/60C/2017-FHC,

    AKURE, ONDO STATE                           EXPARTE APPLICATION

    (SUSPECT AT LARGE SINCE JAN. 2016)

    151     FHC/AK/34C/2017-FHC, AKURE,

    ONDO STATE                                            FRN V ESUABOM JOHNSON &

    ERIC AKINYIMIKA

    152     FHC/L/311C/2017-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V MUONEKE JOHNPAUL IFEANYI & 3 ORS

    153                                                                             FRN V OGBEGBU GOODLUCK & ORS

    154     FHC/L/483C/2017-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V EZE REMUGUS

    RAPURUCHUKWU & 4 ORS

    155                 FCH/L/235C/17                   FRN V ONOWU CHUKWUKA ISAAC

     

  • Former Chief of Air Staff Amosu to forfeit N2.2b

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N2.2billion recovered from former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun made the order based on an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    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 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.

    Justice Olatoregun also ordered temporary forfeiture of N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.

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

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

    Justice Olatoregun made the order on June 7 after the ex-parte application was moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo. A copy of the order was obtained yesterday.

    Amosu, Gbadebo and former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob are on trial before Justice Mohammed Idris of the same court.

    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.

    Before the trial started, Amosu had told the court that he was holding plea bargain talks with the EFCC.

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

    However, after the plea bargain talks broke down the trial started.

    EFCC’s investigator Tosin Owobo, testifying, said N5.9billion was transferred from NAF accounts to Delfina Oil and Gas, among others. He said once the money was converted to dollars, it would be handed over to Gbadebo, who took it to Adigun, who in turn took it to Amosu.

    He said Mcallan Oil and Gas received N6.1billion from NAF.  Trapezites BDC received N3.6billion.

    Owobo said Deegee Oil and Gas received N800million from NAF accounts. Timsegg also got the same amount.

    “These companies were not into oil and gas. The N21billion was moved from various NAF accounts without appropriation,” he said.

    The defendants were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money.

    Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014,   removed over N663.4million 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 on Victoria Island with N1.5billion.

    EFCC said they also bought a property named Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agodogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, using the Air Force’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.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned till June 29 for the final forfeiture hearing. The trial continues today before Justice Idris.

  • $15bn arms deals: More trouble for Dasuki, Amosu, others

    $15bn arms deals: More trouble for Dasuki, Amosu, others

    The Economic and Financial  Crimes Commission (EFCC) has blocked the accounts of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, and others implicated in the $15billion arms deals.

    The Post No Bill (PNB) measure might remain in force until when either the fate of all those affected has been determined or after an agreement has been sealed on plea bargain.

    The suspects, who are still groaning over the blockage, have been begging the anti-graft agency for reprieve.

    According to investigation by our correspondent , some of those affected include ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; ex-Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Marshals Adesola Amosu and Mohammed Dikko Umar;  ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro;  ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa; ex-Minister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda; Governor Ayodele Fayose; ex-Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore; top  former military chiefs; more than 30 companies  and others.

    Findings confirmed that some of the suspects have between three and five accounts in different banks which they used to perpetrate the fraud.

    It was gathered that the EFCC has secured the freezing injunction on the foreign accounts of a few others under investigation.

    It was learnt that the EFCC took the step in line with Section 34 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004.

    The section says: “The Chairman of the commission or any officer authorized by him may, if satisfied that the money in the account of a person is made through the commission of an offence under this Act or any enactment specified under Section 6(2) (a)-(f) of this Act, apply to the court ex-parte for power to issue or instruct a bank examiner or such other appropriate authority to freeze the account.”

    A reliable source in the EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have blocked or frozen the accounts of most of the suspects implicated in the $15billion arms deals, including a serving governor.

    “Some of them have gone to court to challenge the action of the EFCC, but they have lost out because we are empowered by the law to do so.

    “If all these suspects are allowed access to their accounts, loot recovery will be difficult because they would have cleared all the funds in their accounts.

    “It is a temporary measure because their funds are still intact in banks. Once they are set free by the court, they will have their money back. So, they have nothing to lose at all.

    “The blockage of the accounts is not peculiar to our jurisdiction at all. Go and find out the situation in other countries too.”

    Asked when the PNB might be lifted, the source added: “As soon as when either investigation or trial is completed.

    “It might interest you that we have de-frozen accounts of some accomplices, associates or relations of some of these suspects who had no case to answer. It is not just a blanket measure.”

    One of the suspects, who spoke in confidence, said it had been difficult paying accruing bills.

    The suspect said: “The EFCC has blocked or placed PNB on our accounts. We are virtually living from hands to mouth because the sanctions have affected some accounts that are not directly related to the arms cash.

    “Some of our children are also stranded abroad because we cannot pay school fees. We need some relief from the EFCC. Let the ban be relaxed so that we can have limited access to some funds.

    “Some friends and associates, who have been assisting, are also overstretched. Some are afraid of the EFCC. They don’t want to have any direct financial dealings with us.

    “A few of us have offered to go into plea bargain. This development should make the EFCC to have faith in us.

    “Those who have opted for trial want the court to treat all cases with speed in order to get over these matters.”

    The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, had,  in a statement  on June 13, said the anti-graft agency was not being vindictive.

    The statement said: “In recent times, a lot of interest has been generated by the action of the commission in freezing the accounts of suspects that were investigated or are currently being investigated. Some commentators have tended to ascribe vindictive motives to this action

    “In order to prevent misinformation, it is imperative to explain the reason behind the commission’s actions in this regard.

    “Freezing of accounts suspected of being used for commission of financial crimes is a mandatory investigative step backed by law.”

  • Alleged N22.8bn fraud: Ex-Air Force chief Amosu begins plea bargain

    Alleged N22.8bn fraud: Ex-Air Force chief Amosu begins plea bargain

    A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd) and 10 others facing a N22.8billion fraud trial are in talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enter plea bargain with the Federal Government.

    The EFCC tendered a draft copy of the terms of the potential plea bargain before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday.

    Amosu is standing trial alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, all of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and eight private firms.

    The firms include Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited and Trapezites BDC Fonds and Pricey Limited.

    Others are Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

    The defendants were arraigned by the anti-graft agency on June 29, on a 26-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, money laundering, concealing of proceeds of crime and conversion of funds belonging to the Air Force to their personal use.

    They were alleged to have committed the offences between March 5, 2014 and May 4, 2015.

    According to the commission, the offences contravene Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    But they entered a plea of innocence following which Amosu, Adigun and Olugbenga were granted bail of N500m each with two sureties in the like sum.

    Justice Idris also ordered them to deposit their passports in the custody of the court pending trial.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the defendants had began plea bargain negotiations with the government.

    He tendered a draft copy of the terms of the plea bargain to the court and indicated that the defendants were already in possession of their copies of the terms.

    Oyedepo urged the court to allow the commission to open the defendants’ trial.

    But defence counsel, comprising Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Mr. Rotimi O. (SAN) and Mr. A. Etuokwu, opposed the commencement of trial.

    They informed the court that the business of the day was for report of compliance with the order of the court regarding the verification of the defendants’ bail conditions.

    The EFCC, they argued, failed to inform the court that it had yet to obey the order

    Amosu’s lawyer, Chief Ayorinde, said: “The prosecution left out a fundamental issue, which is the court admitting bail to the accused. As at now, the accused are still in the custody of the commission or prisons’ custody. We have satisfied all the conditions.”

    In his argument, Quakers said the prosecution was not in a position to tell the court that it was ready for trial.

    “We are in court to inform it as to the state of affairs as par the bail. We are surprised that the prosecution failed to tell the court the steps taken on the bail. Let the prosecution tell the court the report of their finding,” he said.

    Although Quakers admitted that the defendants’ lawyers met with the EFCC for the plea bargain, he said since the first meeting, the commission failed to communicate with them, and only served them the draft of the agreement in court yesterday.

    He added that though the defendants initiated the idea of a plea bargain, they needed to be out of the EFCC custody before they would be able to negotiate properly with the prosecution.

    “When a man is in a custodian environment, anything you want him to say, he would say; anything you want him to do, he would do. We should not be stampeded or boxed into a corner,” Quakers said.

    He argued further that defendants were entitled under Section 36(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution to be given adequate time and facility to prepare their defence.

    Olugbenga’s lawyer, Mr. Etuokwu, while aligning himself with the submissions of the two senior lawyers, urged the court to discountenance the prosecution’s  applications to commence the trial .

    But, opposing them, Oyedepo referred the court to its former ruling which stated that the matter was slated for trial.

    “The court will also see that we did not oppose the bail applications. We didn’t induce them to approach us for plea bargain.

    “On the issue of verification, we are in the process of complying with the court order. The accused persons took their pleas and on the second day, the court registrars forwarded some documents to the commission for authentication, and we took our time during the holidays to verify these documents.

    “I urge the court to allow us, if they said they no longer believe in the plea bargain, we are ready for trial”.

    After arguments by the parties, Justice Idris, in a bench ruling, upheld the defendants’ request and ordered the EFCC to conclude the verification of the defendants’ bail conditions on or before Monday, July 11.

    The court also noted that the defendants had shown a “clear, positive and strong intention” to settle with the government.

    The judge adjourned till September 12 and 13 for trial.

    According to the charge, the accused persons are alleged to have converted of N21, 467, 634, 707.43 billion, property of the NAF, which sum was derived from stealing, to their personal use.

    They were also accused of indirectly converting N5, 291, 306, 950.28 billion, N3.6billion property of the NAF.

    In another instance, the EFCC also alleged that Amosu and the others stole N323, 319, 283.81 from the accounts of the NAF to purchase for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja.

    Amosu, Adigun and Olugbenga were also alleged to have between July 17 and September 16, 2014, “used the British Pounds Sterling equivalent of the sum of N663, 443,291 million, removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase for yourselves two properties situated at 50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW41TH) and 93B Shirehall Park, London NW4 2QU, United Kingdom.”

    Other counts include purchasing a property situated at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja with N202, 920, 200 million, belonging to the NAF and jointly removing N428, 139, 539 million, from the NAF accounts “to renovate and purchase medical equipment for their hospital, Solomon HealthCare Limited, located at 24, Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, Lagos.”

  • $2.1b arms scandal: Dasuki, Badeh, Amosu face separate trials

    $2.1b arms scandal: Dasuki, Badeh, Amosu face separate trials

    • EFCC demands list of beneficiaries of N10b oil bloc cash for delegates from Jonathan’s ADC
    • More PDP bigwigs benefited from largesse

    Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, former Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Adeshola  Amosu,  and some retired military chiefs  who are currently being interrogated for alleged corruption are likely to face separate charges, according to indications last night.

    They are all in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) whose lawyers are said to be working round the clock compiling charges to be preferred against them in court.

    It was gathered that the commission is still gathering information on the beneficiaries of the N10billion oil signature bonus cash allegedly made available by Dasuki ahead of the PDP National Convention where ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was the party’s sole presidential aspirant in 2014.

    The EFCC wants Jonathan’s ex-ADC, Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe, who is also in detention to provide the list of all the beneficiaries.

    Adegbe allegedly shared the money along with a former aide to Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa.

    Dudafa is believed to be outside the country.

    Sources said that once the EFCC gets the list, it will demand full repayment of what each delegate collected.

    A well placed source said:  “From the revelations at our disposal on the ongoing probe of former and serving military chiefs, we may have to opt for separate trials for ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosu, and others.

    “They will be arraigned with the ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki based on gross abuse of the procurement process in the military.

    “We are already at a crucial stage of the probe with the invitation of some serving and retired military chiefs.

    “So far, we are investigating 29 serving and retired military officers and more than 22 companies implicated in the arms deals.

    “As we are establishing facts and gathering evidence, we are compiling charges against some of these suspects. We actually work round the clock. All those invited are in safe custody, we will soon prefer charges against them.”

    Asked how many times Dasuki will appear in court, the source added: “We have different issues being probed and we can’t ignore all these dimensions.”

    The military chiefs (retired and serving) being questioned include  Badeh, Dasuki, two former Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Marshals M.D. Umar and A.N. Amosu (rtd).

    Some of the affected serving officers are the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun(former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM JA Kayode-Beckley (Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings)four top officers at the Defence Headquarters(DHQ), Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre GMD Gwani; Air Cdre SO Makinde; Air Cdre AY Lassa and Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-National Security Adviser.

    The Nigerian Army confirmed on Thursday that 12 of its officers had been sent to the EFCC for investigation.

    The  Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a terse statement that the officers  “comprised three serving Major-Generals and one retired, three Brigadier-Generals, four colonels, and one Lieutenant Colonel.

    “However, it should be noted that at the end of the commission’s investigations, those found culpable will be tried by a Military Court Martial.”

    Investigation revealed last night that many PDP chieftains benefited from more than N10billion ($47m) withdrawn from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for delegates to the special convention of the party to adopt ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election.

    Another top source in the anti-graft commission said: “The EFCC has grilled Jonathan’s ex-ADC and asked him to produce the list of beneficiaries of the N10billion (over $47m) withdrawn from an oil bloc account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    “Although the former ADC claimed that he acted on the instructions of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, we are only demanding the list of disbursement to PDP stalwarts. It is left to the ex-ADC to make the list available to the EFCC.

    “We will then release the list to the public at the appropriate time. We will recover this over N10billion from the affected beneficiaries. The cash was from a Signature Bonus Account in CBN.

  • $2.1b arms deals: EFCC detains ex-Chief of Air Staff Amosu

    $2.1b arms deals: EFCC detains ex-Chief of Air Staff Amosu

    Former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu is being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the $2.1billion arms deals probe.

    Amosu has been undergoing what a source described as “intense” interrogation in the last 17 hours, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    The bank accounts of the ex-Air Chief may have been restricted. Besides, some houses believed to be his have been put under surveillance.

    The Assets Forfeiture and Recovery Unit of the EFCC was yesterday verifying some of the properties allegedly traced to Air Marshal Amosu.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Amosu reported to the EFCC late Tuesday based on the report of the Special Investigative Committee(SIC) and we have detained him.

    “The ex-Chief of Air Staff has undergone intense interrogation in the last 17 hours on more than 10 contracts awarded by the Nigerian Air Force between January  2014 and February  2015.

    “He is expected to provide evidence of the execution of these contracts and clarify why  NAF bought used Mi-24V helicopters instead of Mi-35M series.”

    The source spoke about how some used Alpha jets were bought and Amosu confirmed in a letter to former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki that all the Alpha-Jets were delivered to NAF in good condition.

    “So, Amosu is central to the purchase of some of the arms and jets. After interrogating him, we will then take on all Air Force officers associated with procurement in NAF. The truth is that the figures of procured equipment do not tally at all with the inventory on ground,” the source said, pleading not to be named because he is not allowed to speak on the investigations.

    Responding to a question, the source added: “With Amosu being interrogated, we will now be inviting other top military chiefs.

    “Dasuki confirmed that Amosu and a  few others confirmed the receipt of these equipment and jets in good condition.”

    The issues highlighted for Amosu include:

    • How 10 contracts totalling $930,500,690.00 were awarded;
    • Payment of  N4,402,687,569.41 for unexecuted contracts;
    • Procurement of two used Mi-24V helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00;
    • Four used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at US$7,180,000.00 funded by ONSA;
    • Cannibalisation of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets; and
    • Excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33m instead of $6m per one.

    There are also delivery of radars without  vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own and adversary aircraft, transfer of $2m to Mono Marine Corporation Nigeria Limited, owned by some Air Force officers and N15bn spent on the maintenance of Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters.

    Besides, N2.5billion contracts were allegedly awarded to Syrius Technologies ( an Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria and seven contracts worth N599,118,000.00 contracts to Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON); two were delivered

    Some of the former Service Chiefs and top military officers have relocated to Abuja ahead of their  appearance before the EFCC team.

    Others to be probed are 22 companies, which have been traced to associates and relatives of some of the suspects.

    The involvement of 11 serving senior military officers yesterday created disquiet in the Armed Forces.

    Some of those affected are the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu(the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T.Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun(former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM J.A. Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T. Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings), four top officers at the Defence Headquarters(DHQ), Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre G.M.D. Gwani; Air Cdre S.O. Makinde; Air Cdre A.Y. Lassa and Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to Col. Dasuki (retd).

    In a response to the Presidency, Dasuki had insisted that Amosu confirmed the delivery of the four Alpha Jets and 12 helicopters.

    Dasuki said: “It is laughable for the panel to assume that four Alpha jets and 12 helicopters were undelivered. In a memo to the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), referenced NAF/905/D/CAS of November 28, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal  Adesola Amosu, acknowledged the receipt of the 4x Alpha jets attack aircraft and the helicopters.

    “On 10/21/14, the Chief of Air Staff also confirmed the receipt of F-7 N1 aircraft combination of 250kg bombs and accessories at $2,894,000 with the cost of freight at $1,200,000. The same Air Force confirmed getting 2xTri Shield 36DG Tactical radars.

    ”In another letter of December 1, 2014 signed by L.S. Alao (on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff), the Air Force said it received five containerised fuel storage and dispensing units with equipment.

    “The Nigerian Army wrote the ONSA to acknowledge the delivery of 14 armoured tanks. In a December 13, 2014 memo, the Brigade of Guards thanked ONSA for releasing N30m for RCA, operation allowance for troops on Op Urban Sweep II for third and fourth quarters of 2014. This is apart from the installation of CCT cameras at the Brigade Headquarters, two backscatter bomb detection vans and other equipment.

    “On November 26, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, sought for approval of the award of one pair of uniform(in the interim) for the Armed Forces at N165, 375 to El-Jahab Mubarak Nigeria and N330,750,000 for two pairs.

    ”These are some of the acknowledgment letters submitted to me by the end-users (the services). It is not for me to go and find out whether the equipment were delivered or not. I am not the one keeping the inventories.”

  • Abducted girls: Obasanjo’s wife, Ogun First Lady join protest

    Abducted girls: Obasanjo’s wife, Ogun First Lady join protest

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo and wife of Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, on Monday joined hundreds of women in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to protest the abduction of over 200 female students of a government college in Chibok, Borno State.

    The protest which began at about 8am at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Kuto area took the women through IBB Boulevard and terminated at the Ogun State House of Assembly complex, where Mrs. Amosun presented their protest letter to the Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi , for onward delivery to President Goodluck Jonathan.
    The protesters also took their grievance to the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan.
    At the Governor’s office, they met Governor Amosun and demanded action from the federal government as well as unconditional and safe release of the innocent school girls by their abductors.
    The Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson; members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, market women and female artisans, among others took part in the protest march.

    The women, who deplored the girls’ abduction displayed placards bearing various inscriptions: “Kidnapped school girls must be found,” “Our girls are not sex machine,” “Bring back our girls,””Haba!, this is barbaric in the 21st century” and “Let all our women rise to save our girls.”

    At the Ogun State Assembly complex, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, who addressed the lawmakers called on states and National Assembly members to take action towards freeing the girls from the terrorists.

    Sonubi also appealed to President Jonathan to help secure the girls’ release.

  • NANS pleads against scrapping of TASUED

    NANS pleads against scrapping of TASUED

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun to reconsider the scraping of the Tai Solarin University Of Education (TASUED), Ijebu Ode.

    The call was made in an open letter to the governor titled: PROPOSED DISSOLUTION OF TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION: APEAL FOR RECONSIDERATION signed by the association’s National President, Comrade Yinka Gbadebo .

    The association said that it was compelled to write the governor as part of its commitment to the struggle for quantitative and qualitative education in Nigeria.

    “We have followed with keen interest, the resent impasse surrounding the continuous existence of the Tai Solarin University of Education, vis-à-vis the implications for our students on that campus and the dire need for educational progression and the advancement”.

    The students also urged the governor to consider better and adequate funding of TASUED which according they noted is the only University that specializes in the training of professional educators in the country.

    They condemned the move to by the governor to scrap TASUED when the nation is in dire need of more Universities which is necessary for economic growth and development.

    “Sir, we strongly hope that our request for the continuous sustainability of TASUED will be granted without any unnecessary delay that may result into further actions from the NANS leadership. “

    The students implored the governor to personally visit the institution for an appraisal instead of basing his decision on reports he got about the school.