The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested former Chief of Naval Staff, Usman Jibrin, a retired Vice Admiral and a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State, Adam Yusuf, over alleged diversion of more than N3 billion in public funds.
In a statement yesterday, ICPC’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, confirmed that Yusuf, who had been on the run, was apprehended at his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja. He was arrested alongside Jibrin, and both men are now set to face prosecution.
“ICPC investigations revealed that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), allegedly orchestrated the fraud through Yusuf and former Brigadier-General Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.).
“The alleged scheme reportedly involved the diversion of public funds using 92 fictitious companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),” the ICPC statement reads in part.
Yusuf was alleged to have acted as a front for Jibrin, facilitating suspicious financial transactions for the acquisition of high-value properties.
ICPC said intelligence reports also suggest that he purchased several immovable assets abroad, including in Dubai, through proxies. Another alleged associate, Adamu Mohammed, was reportedly used as a front to acquire additional properties on behalf of Jibrin.
The Nation reported that the legal battle over these assets dates back to 2019. On 25 November 2019, trial judge Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja (now retired) granted an interim forfeiture order on several properties linked to the suspects, pending a formal hearing on their permanent forfeiture.
In its application, the ICPC identified some of the assets as hotels, filling stations, residential apartments, and undeveloped parcels of land across Abuja and Rivers State, and in Okura Olafia, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The commission argued that these properties were acquired through money laundering, using 13 front companies.
However, on 28 July, 2022, Justice Taiwo vacated the interim forfeiture order and released the properties back to Messrs Jibrin and Yusuf, ruling that the ICPC had failed to prove its case.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the ICPC filed a five-ground notice of appeal on 15 September 2022, contending that Mr Taiwo erred in law by ordering the release of the properties despite substantial evidence of financial crimes.
Among the properties listed in the appeal were Ummays Hummays Energy (petrol filling stations) at various locations in Gwagwalada, Abuja and Oyibe Hotels & Suites Limited in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Others include Lahab Bakery in Lokoja, Kogi State, luxury residential properties in Guzape and Asokoro, Abuja, and a three-bedroom terrace housing unit at NAF Harmony Estate, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The ICPC argued that Justice Taiwo’s ruling was “unreasonable, unwarranted and unsupported by evidence,” citing unevaluated affidavit exhibits that linked the properties to laundered funds.
The commission also claimed that the trial judge failed to consider key witness testimonies, including that of Sayeed Muhammed, who allegedly paid for some properties on the orders of Messrs Yusuf and Jibrin.
Ongoing legal proceedings
Meanwhile, ICPC’s spokesperson, Mr Bakere, said the commission traced the diverted funds to companies including Lahab Integrated and Gate Coast Properties, leading to the acquisition of at least 18 properties.
He added that four of these properties have been forfeited to the federal government while legal proceedings continue over the remaining assets.
Mr Bakare added that efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects still at large.
Multiple corruption allegations
Sixty-five-year-old Mr Jibrin, who served as the 21st Chief of Naval Staff from 2014 to 2015, has faced several corruption allegations since leaving office.
In November 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opened trial against Jibrin alongside two co-defendants who are also retired naval officers — Bala Mshelia and Shehu Ahmadu, both retired Rear Admirals—over allegations of laundering N600 million from the Nigerian Naval Engineering Services Limited.
Testifying before the trial FCT High Court in Abuja on 16 November 2016, EFCC’s first prosecution witness Shehu Ala alleged said Mr Jibrin directed the transfer of N600 million from the account of the Nigerian Naval Engineering Services Limited (NNESL) with the now-defunct Diamond Bank to an account owned by Petrus Ogu Nigeria Limited.
He said the second and third defendants (Messrs Mshelia and Ahmadu), who are signatories to the NNESL’s account, transferred the money, on Mr Jibrin’s instruction, to the company on 13 March, 2014.
The witness alleged that the money was then used to purchase property at No. 7, Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja.
EFCC said the property was allegedly acquired in the name of Harbour Bay International Limited, a company linked to Mr Jibrin’s wife, Lami Jibrin, and his son.
Also, in 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Mr Jibrin over a fresh N1.5 billion money laundering case brought by the ICPC.
