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Tag: Mohammed Adoke

  • $1.2b Malabu oil deal: Court orders arrest of Adoke, Etete, others

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi has ordered the arrest of two former ministers  – Mohammed Adoke (Justice) and Deazia Louya Etete (aka Dan Elete) (Petroleum Resources).

    Also to be arrested are Raph Wezels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno and Burrato Sebastino, who are senior officials of Shell, Agip and Eni SPA.

    The order for their arrest was issued by Justice Danladi Senchi upon an ex-parte motion argued yesterday by Aliyu Yusuf, a director in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The five men are said to be linked to the alleged $1.2billion fraud associated with the Malabu Oil deal and for which three charges have been filed in three courts against them and their companies.

    Justice Senchi, after listening to Yusuf, issued the “warrant for arrest of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendants/respondents”.

    In the motion, Wezels is listed as the 4th defendant, Roberto (fifth), Stefeno (sixth), Sebastino (seventh),  Etete (eighth) and Adoke (ninth).

    The judge also granted the applicant (EFCC) “leave to execute the warrant outside the jurisdiction of this honourable court”.

    Other defendants in the motion are four non-natural persons –  Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited,  Nigeria  Agip Exploration Limited, Eni SPA and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

    Yusuf, had, while moving the motion, told the court that the EFCC had filed a three-count charge since March 2, 2017 against all the defendants.

    He said Wetzels, Roberto, Stefeno, Sebatiano, Etete and Adoke are listed in counts one and three of the charge. The second count is directed at Etete and Adoke.

    Read also: Malabu oil block award ‘illegal’

    Yusuf said: “Since the charge was filed, it has been mentioned in court on several occasions, but the defendants have refused to submit themselves before the court for the purpose of their arraignment.”

    He said the arrest warrant was needed to apprehend the fleeing defendants, most of who are outside jurisdiction, for the purpose of bringing them before the court for them to plea to the charge.

    The EFCC stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the “fact that led to this charge was a case bordering on fraudulent allocation of Oil Prospecting Licence OPL 245 and OPL 214, conspiracy, laundering of over $1.2 billion, forgery of bank documents, bribery and corruption against Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep (SNUD), Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) and their officials.

    “After dqiscrete investigation, a prima facie case was made, culminating into the charge against the defendants now pending before this honourable court.

    “Apart from the instant charge most of the defendants herein, have two other criminal charges filed against them by the complainant/applicant at the Federal High Court, with charge numbers: FHC/ABJ/CR/39/l7 and FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016, respectively.

    “The arraignment of the defendants in this case couldn’t take place because 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendents/respondente are at large and have refused to make themselves available.

    “All efforts to apprehend the fleeing defendants/respondents proved abortive.

    “In furtherance of efforts to apprehend the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendants/respondents, the EFCC contacted the Nigeria Police to assist in watch-listing them and facilitating their arrest and apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police, in response, requested for detailed particulars and processes to enable them liaise with N’I’ERPOL and apprehend the fleeing defendants.

    “The Nigeria Police and the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and other relevant sister organisations have insisted that in addition to having a pending charge before a competent court, there must be warrants of arrest to enable the organisation to apprehend the defendants

    “Granting this application will facilitate the required liaison with INTERPOL and ensure that the defendants/respondents are apprehended and produced before the court for their arraignment on the charges filed against them.”

    In swift reaction to the court order, Adoke said the anti-graft agency erred by holding him personally liable for carrying out a lawful directive fromt he President.

    The former AGF said he will challenge the order citing and earlier order granted by the Federal High COurt, Abuja in 2017.

    His counsel, Msssrs Gromyko Amedu Solicitors said: “In view of this development, and the fact that the EFCC has refused to abide by this time-tested traditions of prosecution agencies, our client is left with no other option to challenge the unlawful order.”

  • Malabu oil: Court orders arrest of ex-AGF Adoke, Etete, others

    Justice Musa Senchi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi has ordered the arrest of former Ministers of Justice and Petroleum Resources – Mohammed Adoke and Deazia Louya Etete (aka Dan Elete).

    Read Also: Breaking: Supreme Court upholds Fayemi’s election

    The judge equally ordered the arrest of Raph Wezels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno and Burrato Sebastino, who are senior officials of Shell, Agip and Eni SPA.

    The order for their arrest was issued by the judge upon an ex-parte application argued on Wednesday by Aliyu Yusuf, a Director in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The five are said to be linked to the monumental fraud associated with the notorious Malabu Oil deal and for which a three-count charge has now been filed against them and their companies before the court.

  • AGF, others free 127 prisoners

    AGF, others free 127 prisoners

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello and the FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello were at the Kuje prison, Abuja, on Thursday to effect the release of 127 inmates.

    The trio, former Attorney General of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda and many others were in the prison in furtherance of the activities of the National Stakeholders Committee on Prison Reform and Decongestion.

    Members of the committee arrived the prison premises at about 10:00 a.m. and left around 1:00 p.m. after examining cases, some of which were reviewed.

    They granted bail to some inmates and while those conviction albeit with option of fines were released after guaranteeing the payment of their fines.

    One of the 127 convicts granted freedom was 33-year old Abdullahi Umar, who was convicted at 16 years for culpable homicide and sentenced to death.

    The government of Sokoto State where he hails from commuted his sentence to life imprisonment. He was freed on Thursday by the Stakeholders Committee on grounds of good conduct after spending about 17 years as a condemned prisoner.

    Another beneficiary of the committee’s activities was a 60-year old Musa Abdullahi, who had spent eight years as awaiting trial inmate.

    Abdullahi, with long grey beards, told the committee that he was arrested in 2009 on his way to visit his children in Kaduna.

     

  • Police raid Adoke’s home in Kogi

    Police raid Adoke’s home in Kogi

    About 10 policemen from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday invaded the house of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), ostensibly on a tip off from a whistle blower.

    However, the one hour search was in vain as no money or incriminating documents were found at the ex- AGF’s residence.

    The policemen stormed Adoke’s country home in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Okene, Kogi State, at 4.15 p.m., allegedly looking for cash.

    The search, which was conducted under tight security, ended at 5.15 p.m.

     

  • Team Nigeria athletes for Paris Olympics unveiled 

    Team Nigeria athletes for Paris Olympics unveiled 

    A team of 84 Nigerian athletes is set to represent the nation at the Paris Olympics, scheduled to kick off on July 26. These athletes will compete across 12 different sports in this global celebration of sportsmanship.

    Notably, the contingent is largely comprised of female athletes, with a significant presence from female soccer and basketball teams.

    The team will also be participating in events such as Athletics, badminton, boxing, Canoeing, cycling, taekwondo, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, and swimming.

    Tony Nezianya, the Press Officer of Team Nigeria, released the list of athletes, who have started moving into Games Village in Paris from their training base in Germany.

    This is with  exception of the National female soccer team, the Falcons, who have relocated to Bordeaux for their football event being held in cities outside Paris.

    Here is the list of the Team Nigeria contingent members ready to showcase their talent and represent their country on the global stage:

    Read Also: Give Super Eagles top-class coach, Enoh charges NFF

    The teams are : Basketball Team: 12; Athletics: 35 female football, table tennis, 4; wrestling, 5; boxing, 2; swimming, 2; Taekwondo, 1 and  Badminton, 1, bring the entire  team contingent to 84 in total.

    TEAM NIGERIA FINAL LIST OF ATHLETES

    ATHLETICS – Men

    1. Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale – 4 x 400m Relay Mixed

    2. Ajayi Kayinsola – 100m, 4 x 100m Relay

    3. Akintola Alaba Olakunle – 4 x 100m Relay

    4. Amene Dubem – 4 x 100m Relay

    5. Ashe Favour Oghene – Mens 100m

    6. Enekwechi Chukwuebuka – Mens Shotput

    7. Ibadin Edose – Mens 800m

    8. Itsekiri Usheoritse – 4 x 100m Relay

    9. Nathaniel Ezekiel – Mens 400m Hurdles

    10. .Nnamdi Chinecherem – Mens Javelin Throw

    11. Nwachukwu Dubem – 4 x 400m Relay Mixed

    12. Ogazi Samuel – Mens 400m, 4 x 400m Relay

    13. Oghenebrume Godson – Mens 100m, 4 x 100m Relay

    14. Ojeli Ifeanyi Emmanuel – Mens 4 x 400m Relay

    15. Okezie Chidi – Mens 400m, 4 x 400m Relay

    16. Onwuzurike Udodi Chudi – Mens 200m

    17. Sunday Israel Okon – 4 x 400m, 4 x 400m Relay Mixed

    ATHLETICS – Women

    1. Adeshina Temitope Simbiat – Womens High Jump

    2. Amaechi Obiageri Pamela – Women’s Discus Throw

    3. Amusan Oluwatobilola – Women’s 100m

    4. Anumba Ashley – Women’s Discus Throw

    5. Brume Ese – Women’s Long Jump

    6. Chukwuma Rosemary – Women’s 100m

    7. Eyakpobeyan Justina Tiana – Women’s 4 x 100m Relay

    8. George Patience Okon – 4 x 400m Relay (Mixed)

    9. Godbless Tima Seikeseye – Women’s 100m, 4 x 100m Relay

    10. Joseph Esther Elo – Women’s 400m, 4 x 400m Relay

    11. Oghonogor Prestina Oluchi – Women’s Long Jump

    12. Ofili Favour – Women’s 200m

    13. Oginmakinju Omolara – Women’s 4 x 400m Relay (Mixed)

    14. Olajide Olayinka – Women’s 4 x 100m Relay

    15. Olatoye Oyesade – Women’s Hammer Throw

    16. Onojuvwevwo Ella – Women’s 400m

    17. Onyekwere Chioma – Women’s Discus Throw

    18. Usoro Ruth – Women’s Long Jump.

    BADMINTON

    1. Opeyori Anuoluwapo

    WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

    1. Adeyeye Adebola

    2. Amukamara Promise

    3. Balogun Elizabeth

    4. Ebo Lauren

    5. Ejiofor Blessing

    6. Enabosi Nicole

    7. Igbokwe Rita

    8. Kalu Ezinne

    9. Kunaiyi-Akpanah Pallas

    10. Musa Murjanatu

    11. Okonkwo Amy

    12. Okoro Ifunanya

    13. Taiwo Olaoluwatomi

    BOXING

    1. Olaore Olaitan – Men’s Heavyweight 92kg

    2. Ogunsemilore Cynthia – Women’s Lightweight 60kg

    CANOEING

    1. Bello Ayomide – Women’s Sprint C2, 500m

    2. Otuedo Beauty – Women’s Sprint C2, 500m

    CYCLING

    1.Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye

    WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

    1. Abiodun Deborah

    2. Ajibade Rasheedat

    3. Alozie Michelle

    4. Demehin Blessing

    5. Echegini Jennifer

    6. Ihezue Chinwendu

    7. Kanu Uchenna

    8. Macleans Chinonyerem

    9. Nnadozie Chiamaka

    10. Ohale Osinachi

    11. Okeke Chidinma

    12. Okoronkwo Esther

    13. Oluehi Tochukwu

    14. Onumonu Ifeoma

    15. Oshoala Asisat

    16. Payne Nicole

    17. Payne Toni

    18. Ucheibe Christy

    19. Ademola Morufa

    20. Alani Jumoke

    21. Monday Gift

    22. Otu Regina

    SWIMMING

    1. Sijuade Oluwatobiloba

    2. Nwandu Adaku

    TAEKWONDO

    1. Anyanacho Elizabeth – Women’s -67kg

    TABLE TENNIS

    1. Aruna Quadri – Men’s Singles

    2. Omotayo Olajide – Men’s Singles

    3. Effiong Edem – Women’s Singles

    4. Fatima Bello – Women’s Singles

    WEIGHLIFTING

    1. Lawal Rafiatu – Women’s -59kg

    2. Eze Joy Ogbonne – Women’s -71kg

    WRESTLING

    1. Mutuwa Ashtoib – Men’s Freestyle – 125kg

    2. Ogunsanya Christiana – Women’s Freestyle -53kg

    3. Adekuoroye Odunayo – Women’s Freestyle -53kg

    4. Kolawole Esther – Women’s Freestyle -62kg

    5. Oborodudu Blessing – Women’s Freestyle -68kg

    6. Reuben Hannah – Women’s Freestyle -76kg

  • Malabu: I facilitated dispute settlement – Adoke

    Malabu: I facilitated dispute settlement – Adoke

    A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), on Monday said his involvement in the $1.09billion Malabu Oil Block deal was only that of a facilitator.

    The ex-minister said he facilitated amicable settlement of dispute between two parties because of its implications on the nation’s economy.

    He said his role was “without any personal gain to himself or to any other person.”

    Adoke insisted that the Terms of Settlement, upon which the Consent Judgment was predicated, were executed as far back as November 30, 2006.

    He said his intervention in the dispute was motivated by the need to avoid a colossal cost to the Federal Government as awarded by the courts.

    The ex-minister said he has a copy of a presidential approval directing that Malabu be paid the sum of $ 1,092,040,000 from the Escrow Account with J.P. Morgan.

    Adoke made these disclosures in an affidavit in support of his originating summons in a matter he filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The ex-minister in the suit asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to declare his ongoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  on account of carrying out the lawful directives of the former President as illegal, null and void.

    The federal government had seized Malabu Oil Block from four oil giants pending the conclusion of investigation and trial of those implicated in the deal.

    The oil firms are – Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO), Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

     

  • Court sets aside forfeiture orders on OPL 245

    Court sets aside forfeiture orders on OPL 245

    ..Malabu Oil sues FG, Shell, Agip EFCC, Etete

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside its orders made on January 26, 2017 for a temporary forfeiture of Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 245 to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The OPL 245 is in relation to the oil well, which is the subject of the controversial Malabu Oil deal, in respect of which the EFCC has filed three separate charges against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, former Petroleum Minster, Dan Etete and others.

    Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling Friday, upheld the applications by Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCO), challenging the validity of the orders.

    Justice Tsoho held that the orders for forfeiture were irregularly made because the application ex-parte filed by the EFCC Chairman, and on which basis the orders were made, was irregularly filed.

    The order was wrongly made,as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in whose name the ex parte application was filed failed to meet the pre-condition required before filing it.

    Justice Tsoho ruled, “Therefore by the case of Onagoruwa Vs IGP, I hold respectively that the chairman of EFCC filed to meet the pre-condition for making an application for interim attachment of property. The application is therefore irregular and the order granted ought to be discharged.

    “Accordingly this court granted ex parte on January 26, 2017 on the application of the Chairman of EFCC is hereby discharged or set aside.

    “At this juncture, it is important to advise that with the setting aside of the ex parte order proceedings in this matter have finally closed,” Justice Tsoho said.

    Shell’s lawyer, Konyinsola Ajayi had argued that by virtue of sections 28 and 29 of EFCC Act, the Chairman of EFCC, in whose name the ex parte application filed by the anti-graft agency was initiated, was not the proper person to institute the action.

    He insisted that sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act envisage that the ex parte application for interim forfeiture is filed in the name of the EFCC and not its chairman.

    The judge also dismissed an application filed by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited seeking to, among others, stay the earlier reserved ruling on the applications by Agip and Shell.

    Malabu had sought to stay the delivery of the ruling to enable it be made a party in the case, because it would be affected by the court’s decision in the applications Agip and Shell.

    The judge said the application by Malabu was misdirected, constituted an abuse of court’s process and intended to waste the court’s time.

    Justice Tsoho advised parties, who have issues with the Malabu deal – OPL 245, to file fresh cases to ventilate their grievances and seek remedies.

    In line with the judge’s advice, major stakeholders in Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, including Mohammed Abacha and businessman, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe promptly filed a fresh suit yesterday before the Federal High Court, Abuja, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2017, praying for among others, an order restoring to it, it’ “rights to exclusive possession of OPL 245”.

    In the suit filed in the name of Malabu Oil and Gas, the plaintiff wants the court to restrain the EFCC as continuing to treat the OPL 245 as proceed of crime, and also stop the anti-graft agency from interfering with its (Malabu’s) “right to explore and prospect for petroleum in the area of OPL 245”.

    In the writ of summons, the plaintiff claimed that it was registered in 1998, and its (Malabu’s subscribers/first directors “are Sani Mohammed, a son of the late military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Amafagh Kweku and Hindu Hassan, with 10million, six million nd four millions shares respectively making up the 20million share capital of the company.

    The plaintiff, in its statement of claim, said it was granted OPL 245 by the Minister of Petroleum Resource on April 29, 1998 and the n paid N50, 000 as application fees, $10,000 as bid processing fees and part payment of or deposit of $2,040,000 as signature bonus.

    It claimed that the OPL 245 was revoked from it on July 2, 2001, but through a settlement agreement the licence was re-allocated by the Federal Government to it on July 2, 2010.

    The plaintiff added that, while its right in OPL 245 was subsisting, the Federal Government (first defendant), Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Limited (third defendant), SNEPCO (fourth defendant) and Agip (fifth defendant) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation “surreptitiously entered into what they called “Block 245 Resolution Agreement dated April 29, 2011” allocating OPL 245 to SNEPCO and Agip.

    It wants the court to order that it was not a party to the “Block 245 Resolution Agreement dated April 29, 2011” and so it “is not bound by the terms of the said agreement as it relates to or concerns OPL 245”.

    The plaintiff equally seeks, “an order compelling the defendants by themselves, their servants or agents or departments to forthwith restore to the plaintiff (Malabu) the plaintiff’s rights to the exclusive possession of OPL 245.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and in particular the sixth defendant (EFCC) by themselves, their servants or agents or howsoever otherwise from treating and or dealing with OPL 245 as a proceed of an offence and from interfering in any manner whatsoever and howsoever with the plaintiff’s exclusive right to explore and prospect for petroleum in the area of OPL 245.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants or agents howsoever, otherwise from carrying out any exploration or prospecting activities in connection with or in relation to the area covered by OPL 245.”

    Defendants to the suit are, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, Nigerian Agip Exploration Company Limited, EFCC and then Minister of Petroleum under the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime, Chief Dan Etete.

    The OPL 245, according to documents filed in court by the EFCC, was originally issued by the Federal Government to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited under shady circumstances before subsequent chain of transfers that saw the OPL handed to a consortium floated by Shell and Agip via transactions which the EFCC described as fraudulent.

     

     

  • Malabu: Court grants oil block’s forfeiture

    Malabu: Court grants oil block’s forfeiture

    A Federal High Court in  Abuja has granted an order of interim forfeiture of an oil well  being managed by Shell petroleum Development Company (SPDC) pending the conclusion of its investigation and prosecution of all identified culprits by the The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The order was granted following EFCC’s  claim that it has conducted a painstaking investigation into the case both in Nigeria and offshore which revealed that Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and Shell allegedly secured OPL245 through fraudulent scheme involving high scale bribery and corruption by top management of the company.

    EFCC) on Thursday explained how some highly placed Nigerians, including ex-ministers and multinational oil companies allegedly defrauded the country of billions of dollars through the now notorious Malabu oil deal.

    The commission also revealed how the former Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, allegedly aided the payment of $1.2b bribe to ex- Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dan Etete, using his position in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

    It said further findings revealed that the federal government was defrauded by and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited by under- paying $210m as signature bonus on the OPL 245.

    The commission also shed light into how the former Head of State, late Gen Sani Abacha, Etete (who was Petroleum Minister under Abacha) and Hassan Adamu (Nigerian Ambassador to the United States under Abacha) allegedly used their positions to influence the unlawful allocation of OPL 245 to Malabu Oil.

    After listening to EFCC’s lawyer, Jonson Ojogbane, moved the motion, Justice John Tosho granted the two interim orders of forfeiture sought by the commission.

  • Abuja land: Senate seeks sanction against Jonathan, ex-ministers

    Abuja land: Senate seeks sanction against Jonathan, ex-ministers

    The Senate is exploring ways of invoking sanctions on former President Goodluck Jonathan and some of the ministers that served under him for appropriating reserved plots of land in Abuja.

    According to the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the plots acquired by Jonathan and his ministers were designated as green areas, flood drains, city buffers, recreation, sewage lines, urban farming and city monuments.

    At a briefing on Wednesday, the chairman of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, said the illegally acquired areas fall within the highbrow Maitama District.

    Describing the action of Jonathan and his ministers as “satanic”, Melaye blamed the immediate past former Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, for indiscretion.

    Besides Jonathan, the committee listed other beneficiaries of the land grab to include former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and former Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke.

    Others beneficiaries are – ex-Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus and a serving Executive Director in the FCT, Alhaji Ismaila Adamu.

    Some of the beneficiaries have started erecting structures on the plots, which were hurriedly allocated in the twilight of the last administration and Certificates of Occupancy hurriedly issued for the plots.

    Melaye said, “Senator Bala Mohammed, in his bid to satisfy some powerful Nigerians before the end of his tenure, disregarded the wisdom of his predecessors and the vision of the founding fathers of Abuja.

    “He went ahead to implement Messrs Fola Consult Limited’s recommendation by allocating these important features at the Maitama Hills to these powerful Nigerians.

    “It is pathetic to state that one of the allottees has erroneously burst a sewage conduit pipe and the entire area messed up with offensive odour which could trigger off serious epidemic within that location.”

  • Alleged N1.5b fraud: Omatseye accuses Adoke of persecution

    Alleged N1.5b fraud: Omatseye accuses Adoke of persecution

    Embattled former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Raymond Omatseye, yesterday accused the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Adoke (SAN ) of persecution.

    Omatseye who is standing trial before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on 27 counts of contract splitting and bid rigging claimed he was being persecuted for refusing to do Adoke’s bidding.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that the suspended NIMASA boss perpetrated contract scam of N1.5billion.

    But giving evidence before the trial judge, he alleged that his refusal to discontinue NIMASA’s suit against Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on Adoke’s request prompted his trial.

    Led in evidence by his counsel,  E.D. Onyeke, the suspended NIMASA chief had pleaded with the court to allow him give a background  in order to appreciate his predicament.

    According to Omatseye, in 2010, the Executive Director, Cabotage services in NIMASA, Ibrahim Zailani approached him and said he was in a meeting with Adoke who requested a withdrawal of the suit against NLNG.

    “Zailani told me the AGF had directed him to tell me to withdraw a case between NIMASA and NLNG. I told him I was unable to withdraw the case because it was a board decision,” he said.

    He alleged that he also received a call on November 14, 2010, between 12-1pm, from one Tunde Ayeni, who passed the phone to a man that introduced himself as Mohammed Adoke.

    The man said: ‘I sent Zailani to you to withdraw the NLNG case and you have refused. Mr. President has called me twice on this matter to instruct you to withdraw this case.

    “I responded: ‘My AG sir, either you please send me a memo to that effect or a message through my minister to direct me accordingly; I am not in a position to unilaterally withdraw the case’.”

    Explaining further, Omatseye said Adoke reminded him that he (Adoke) was the chief law officer of the nation and queried if the NIMASA boss was unaware of a directive that no government agency should drag another to court without his permission.

    “I told him that the NLNG is majorly owned by foreigners and therefore cannot be considered as a government parastatal or agency.

    “At that point he said: ‘I have given an instruction and you have refused to obey, this would be your waterloo’.”

    Exactly 10 days after the phone call, Omatseye said three EFCC operatives took him to the agency’s Ikoyi office for interrogation, adding that also invited were NIMASA’s Directors of Procurement and Finance.

    He told the court that he called the Transport Minister, Yusuf Suleiman to notify him of the development  as he was being ferried to EFCC, adding that Suleiman asked him if he had any issue with the AGF.

    Omatseye further alleged that the EFCC flew all three of them to their headquarters in Abuja, where he was shown a petition against him written by the Transport Minister.

    While acknowledging that the threshold for contract approval for NIMASA was N2.5million for supply and N5million for goods and services,  Omatseye told the court that the stipulations were not in place as at the time he gave approvals for the contracts for which he was being prosecuted.

    According to him, while the charges captured contracts awarded between December 2009 and February 2010, the contract award  threshold for NIMASA was only put in place by the Bureau of Public Procurement in November 2011.

    His testimony continues today.