The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

  • Troops to begin solidarity march for democracy across Nigeria – DHQ

    Troops to begin solidarity march for democracy across Nigeria – DHQ

    There would be movements of troops across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in support of the nation’s constitution and democracy, the Defence Headquarters announced Thursday.

    The march for democracy according to the Director of Defence Information, Major Gen John Enenche, would involve the Nigerian Army, The Nigerian Air Force, The Nigerian Navy, The Nigerian Police Force, The Brigade of Guards, The Department of States Security, DSS, The National Intelligency Agency, The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).

    Others are the Nigerian Customs Service, The Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Prisons Service, the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Federal Fire Service.

    The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA would not be left out in the march which Major Gen. Enenche, said would hold quarterly henceforth.

    Enenche however did not mention whether the march was in response to the tension generated in the polity following the alert sounded by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai that some civilians were approaching soldiers for selfish political interests, nor was it in response to the quit notice given to the Igbo ethnic group by the Arewa Youth Forum.

    Major Gen. Enenche who addressed journalists as the Chairman of the Forum of Security and Response Agencies, noted that the movement of troops throughout Nigeria would begin on 1st of July.

    Supported at the briefing by the Spokespersons of all the aforementioned agencies, Major Gen. Enenche added that the march was not just for physical fitness of members of Security and Response Agencies, but also for upholding the constitution of the country.

    Asked whether the march was in response to hate speeches that have been generating tension in the polity, Gen Enenche said no.

    He maintained that it is a corporate excersize meant to foster interaction and good understanding among the Security and Response Agencies, especially in the face of comtemporary security challenges in the country.

    Gen. Enenche said the exercize tagged “Together We Are” would be conducted on quartely basis and the slogan would be Together We Are: Protecting Lives and Property,  Ensuring Unity and Progress,  Supporting Democracy,  Upholding the Constitution, and Defending National Interests.

    Although Gen. Enenche did not disclose the routes of the solidarity march for security reasons, he however said there was no need for panic regarding the exersize.

    His words “The physical fitness of members of the Security and Response Agencies is germaine to the effectiveness of its members, especially in the face of contemporary security challenges in the Country. In the same vein, group interaction through an exercise such as route march is an enhancer of espirit de corps and harmony among members of the Security and Response Agencies.

    “It is in view of these, that a Route March Exercise titled “TOGETHER WE ARE” is to be conducted on quarterly basis involving the Military, Para Military and Security Responses Agencies in Nigeria. The slogan for the Exercise is: ”TOGETHER WE ARE ”

    a. Protecting Lives and Property.  b. Ensuring Unity and Progress.  c. Supporting Democracy.  d. Upholding the Constitution.  e. Defending National Interests.

    “Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Long Live the Security Agencies.

    ” The maiden “TOGETHER WE ARE” route march exercise will take place across the Nation on 1st July 2017. The general public is hereby notified that there will be movement of troops and other security agencies in the course of this exercise.

    ” Your cooperation and understanding is highly solicited. Be rest assured that; Together we, as members of the Security and Response Agencies in Nigeria are always there to; Protect  Lives and Property; Ensure Unity and Progress, Support Democracy, Uphold the Constitution and Defend our National interests. ”

    Gen. Enenche appealled to the media to assist in passing the right message across to Nigerians, saying at this period in the nation’s history we should be working together for the peace, progress and stability of the country.

  • ONSA: Dokpesi got N2.1 without executing contract – Witness

    ONSA: Dokpesi got N2.1 without executing contract – Witness

    A prosecution witness in the trial of businessman, Raymond Dokpesi told a Federal High Court in Abuja Thursday that Dokpesi received a total sum of N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2015 without executing any contract to warrant such payment.

    The witness, Osaz Ozanobor (an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said this while testifying yesterday as the 5th prosecution witness at the resumption of Dokpesi’s trial.

    Led in evidence by lead prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Ozanobor said ONSA, in a correspondence to the EFCC, said it did not award any contract to the defendants (Dokpesi and his firm, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited), but confirmed that it paid them N2,120,000,000 between January and March 2015.

    He said the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), a body saddled with the regulation of procurement activities by government agencies, confirmed, by a correspondence, that its database had neither the record of DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited nor any contract bidding process in which the company participated.

    Ozanabor said the N2.1b allegedly paid to DAAR was uncovered by his agency while investigating allegations of misappropriation of public funds by ONSA.

    The witness said, “Sometime in 2015, the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC (Mr. Ibrahim Magu) formed a team to investigate the misappropriation of public funds by the ONSA.

    “In the course of the investigation, we realised that sums of money were paid into the account of DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “So a letter was written by my team to the Office of the National Security Adviser, requesting details concerning these payments to DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited and to find out if the company had any contract with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “They (ONSA) responded by stating that series of payments were made to DAAR Investment and Holding Limited totaling the sum of N2,120,000,000.

    “The mandates for the payment were also attached by the Office of the National Security Adviser. We got two responses from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “We wrote another letter to the BPP, requesting the list of contracts done by DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited, requesting the value of the contract and the list of bidders for that contract. They (BPP) responded to our letter,” the witness said.

    Jacobs later tendered the letters referred to by the witness, which were admitted by the court, without any objection by the defence.

    The prosecuting lawyer asked the witness to read portions o the letter tendered.

    A portion of ONSA’s response to EFCC’s investigators’ enquiry, read by the witness, confirm that N2.1bn was paid by ONSA to Daar without award and execution of any contract.

    ONSA prayed the EFCC “to recover the illicitly transferred funds and impose adequate sanction on all defaulting individuals and entities.”

    The BPP, in a letter, dated December 8, 2015, read by the witness, said after “an extensive search” of its database, there was no record of the company “participating in any procurement bidding.”

    Ozanobor also read from Daar Investment’s the response, to EFCC’s inquiry about whether or not contracts were awarded to it by ONSA.

    The letter by DAAR Investment, dated November 23, 2015, said, among others, that there was no contractual dealing between ONSA and the company.

    Under cross-examination by defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Ozanobor, when asked if there evidence that the defendants were aware ONSA did not comply with due process, he insisted that there was no contract between ONSA and DAAR.

    The witness said: “I read the responses from ONSA and the BPP and they clearly stated that there was no contract.”

    On whether “the work” was done, he said, “There was no contract. There are steps needed to be followed if you want to get contract from the government and everybody knows that. The steps were not followed, so it is self-explanatory that there was no contract.”

    On whether Daar was entitled to be paid for a work done, he said, “Yes, if the due process was followed and there was contract which was legitimately awarded.But if the steps are not followed, the company is not entitled to be paid.”

    Ozanobor said he did not know if ONSA was exempted from rules and regulations governing procurement by government agencies.

    Agabi suggested to the witness that with the EFCC’s letter of inquiry to ONSA, mentioning “national public relations project” and the title stated as “Presidential Media Initiative”, it was obvious that the money paid to DAAR was meant for a project for the laundering of the then Federal Government’s image.

    Ozanobor said “The ‘national public relations was coined like that by the defendants. We had to use it that way to verify whether something like that existed.”

    The trial resumes on July 6.

    Dokpesi and his firm are being tried on a six-count charge, in which they are accused of receiving N2.1bn from ONSA between January and March 2015.

    They are also accused of engaging in money laundering and breaching public procurement laws by allegedly receiving N2.12bn from ONSA to prosecute People’s Democratic Party’s 2015 presidential media campaign.

    Dokpesi and DAAR Investments were said to have received the sum of N2.12bn from ONSA, while the agency was being headed by Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), as payment for a “purported contract on presidential media initiative”.

    The prosecution alleged that the payment was in breach of and punishable under provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC (Establishment) Act.

  • Dokpesi received N2.1bn from ONSA – Witness

    Dokpesi received N2.1bn from ONSA – Witness

    A prosecution witness, Mrs Zainab Kokobili, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that Raymond Dokpesi, received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
    Kokobili, the third prosecution witness to testify in Dokpesi’s trial, confirmed that the money was paid in four different occasions from the ONSA.
    Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Holdings Investment Company Ltd., was arraigned on a six-count charge of money laundering and procurement-related offences.
    Kokobili, a banker with First Bank, was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Olaleke Atoglabe.
    She said that as a relationship manager, she manages the account of Daar Holdings Investment Company and other accounts in the bank.
    She said on Feb. 6, 2016 she was invited to EFCC office through their Fraud and Investigation Unit to make statements on the case.
    Kokobili read from the company’s statement of account, saying that N2.12 billion was paid into the account in four tranches of N500 million, N500 million, N620 million and N500 million between January and March 2015.
    She said the balance on the company’s account was N113, 885.28 before the first tranche of N500 million was paid into the account on Jan. 22, 2015.
    “On Jan. 22, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N500 million, it was a credit. Before the payment of N500 million the balance on the account was N113,885.28.
    “On Feb. 4, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N500 million.
    “On Feb. 9, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N620 million only. It was also a credit.
    “On March 19, 2015 – the narration is RTGS being payment by ONSA: N500 million,” the witness said.
    She also said that N2.12 billion was disbursed from Daar Investments and Holdings Limited after receiving instructions from Dokpesi.
    “The customer sent instructions to the bank for payments. Money was paid after getting confirmation from the customer.
    “High Chief Raymond Anthony Alegho Dokpesi was the signatory who sent instructions for the payments,” she added.
    Justice John Tsoho admitted in evidence the witness statement made at the EFCC’s office and bundles of documents submitted to the chairman of EFCC.
    Under cross examination by the defence counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi, the witness said that Daar Investment was a customer of the bank not Raymond Alegho Dokpesi.
    The case was adjourned till May 24 and May 25 for continuation of trial.

  • Jonathan’s ex-aide bought Abuja house with N650m – witness

    A Federal High Court in Abuja heard Friday how former Principal Secretary to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan facilitated the purchase of a property in Maitama, Abuja with N650million paid from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Samuel Babatunji Adeniyi and Kabiru Yaro, who testified as 3rd and 4th prosecution witnesses in the trial of Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibaola, his wife, Stella and their company, One Plus Holdings Limited, gave details of how the property located at 15 Rio Negro Street was bought.

    Yaro and Adeniyi gave the name of the ex-Jonathan’s aide as Ambassador Hassan Tukur.

    They told the court that they did not know the defendants in person and have never related with them until they met them in court Friday. Both witnesses were led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir.

    Yaro , who described Tukur as his childhood friend, said the  property is located next to Jonathan’s house.

    “Sometime in October 2014, Nuuman Barau Dambatta, approached me that he had some debts in the bank and he wanted sell his two properties, one in Kano and one in Maitama, Abuja.

    “I told him I was not interested and he requested that the house in Maitama was a neighbour to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “He asked me if I could speak to Ambassador Tukur to see if he (Tukur) could buy the property. I called the ambassador and I told him that Barau was interested in selling the property and if he could assist.

    “I arranged, and Nuuman went to meet the ambassador (Tukur). Later Nuuman called me and asked for the Certificate of Occupancy and gave it to the ambassador.

    “Later Nuuman called me and said a valuation had been made on the property and that the valuation on the property was N650m, which the ambassador said he had got a buyer for, but he didn’t tell us who it was.

    “Later sometime in December 2014, the money was paid to Alhaji Nuuman Baraua’s estate agent.

    “Nuuman called me to say the payment he received came from the Central Bank of Nigeria, and I told him he sound call and ask the ambassador (Tukur) why the money came from there.

    “I said I didn’t know and that whatever name to he (Nuuman) saw was the one who had bought the property. After he signed the document, he gave them to me to take back to Ambassador Hassan Tukur.

    “That day he asked me to sign the original C of O. I collected it from him and signed it. From that time, the handing over is between him and the property buyers and I don’t know what else transpired until this matter came up,” Yaro said.

    Adeniyi, an estate surveyor and valuer, said he signed the sale documents, prepared in the name of One Plus Holdings, as a witness of the property seller.

    “Later our client (Nuuman) now told me that it’s like that and they (Tukur and his agents) are serious now. And he asked me to text our company’s account number to him.

    “Of course, I texted the account number details to him, I mean our account to him, I mean our account number at Wema Bank.

    “Suddenly on December 9, 2014, I got an alert of N650m from Wema Bank which tallied with the figure he had agreed with the prospective buyers.

    “Immediately I contacted him. I forwarded the text of the bank alert him that same night of December 9, 2014.

    “The details of the source of payment was ‘NEFT ONSA’ was the narration of the test that I got on the alert which I forwarded to our client.”

    He said the sale document was later prepared by a legal firm, M.B. Shehu & Co. which he said he signed as a witness.

    “The assignor is Alhaji Nuuman Barau Dambatta and the buyer was One Plus Holding.”

    Defence lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), while cross-examining Adeniyi, tendered his (Adeniyi’s) statement which he made to the EFCC.

    Although Tahir objected to the admission of the statement, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba overruled his objection to admit the statement.

    Justice Dimgba later adjourned to January 30 for continuation of trial.