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Tag: ONSA

  • Dasuki billions not illicit – Obanikoro

    A former Minister of State for defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the N4.6billion sent to him from the Office of the National Security (ONSA) in 2014 was not illicit fund.

    He said he was worried the huge sums he received from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) “for security purposes” were described as illicit.

    Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, spoke at the continuation of his cross-examination in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose for money laundering.

    He said: “The NSA has the responsibility for coordination of security in the country.

    “He coordinates all the security agencies. Some of their operations are clandestine and are usually not documented.

    “It borders me as a person that clandestine operations of the NSA are described as illicit. It should worry every Nigerian. I am surprised that the current NSA can characterise the funds as illicit.

    “The local Joint Task Force on Boko Haram is still being funded by the NSA and the operation started under our watch,” Obanikoro, who served under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, said.

    The former minister was cross-examined by Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel for Fayose’s company and co-accused, Spotless Limited.

    The lawyer said: “I suggest to you that the funds from ONSA were not illicitly obtained.”

    Obanikoro responded: “To the best of my knowledge.”

    The former minister said he had been reporting at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) once a month since 2016.

    Asked why there was a two-year gap between two of his statements tendered in court, Obanikoro said: “They gave me administrative bail. One of the conditions is to report at the office once a month.

    “It was during one of such visitations on October 8 last year that I made the last statement after I made the one of October 19, 2016.

    “EFCC is investigating me based on a petition by the NSA that N4.6billion was sent to an account operated by me without proper documentation.

    “I’ve been reporting at EFCC monthly since 2016 and I have not been discharged from the administrative bail.

    “It is correct that I am being investigated for having been privy to illicit transfer of funds. The allegation has not been withdrawn.”

    Obanikoro said there was no contract between NSA and Taiwo Kareem who he said owned Sylvan Mcnamara Limited through which NSA transferred the funds.

    The former minister said he dealt with Diamond Bank, where the firm’s account was domiciled, on NSA’s behalf.

    “I gave instructions to Alex Otti (former Diamond Bank Managing Director) for the payment of N1.2billion.

    “The NSA never interacted with the bank. I gave verbal instructions to Diamond Bank.

    “I didn’t reduce it to writing because of the nature of the transactions. There was no written instruction for the release of N1.2billion.”

    Obanikoro said there was no written resolution by the board of Sylvan Mcnamara that he should operate the account.

    “The moment Sylvan Mcnamara decided to work with NSA for security purposes, it was agreed that I would supervise the account because of government funds in it. A verbal agreement was reached to that effect.

    “No, Fayose does not have any relationship with Sylvan Mcnamara,” he said in response to a question.

    Ojo then asked Obanikoro: “Are you aware that two of your children – Gbolahan Obanikoro and Babajide Obanikoro – were signatories to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account?”

    Obanikoro said: “Yes, they were signatories to the account prior to the operation in 2014. My children have relationships with the company. I also have a relationship with the company.”

    Ojo asked: “You had known Sylvan Mcnamara long before you recommended it to NSA?”

    Obanikoro replied: “Of course.”

    Ojo asked: “You recommended Sylvan Mcnamara because of your interest in the company?”

    Obanikoro replied: “That’s preposterous. I was in charge of security when I was Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos. I knew the owner of the company then as a skillful security operative.

    “When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate to recommend him to the NSA. The company account went through three phases of ownership.”

    Asked why there were no documentations for most of the transactions on the account, he said: “As a corporate citizen, the bank had a responsibility to support the activities of security operations by government institutions.

    Read Also: Obanikoro: no record of cash collected from Dasuki for Fayose

    “If you work in security operations, you will see worst things. And it’s all over the world, not only in Nigeria.”

    The former minister admitted that one of the directors of Sylvan Mcnamara, Ikenna Ezekwe, lived with him in his Parkview Estate, Ikoyi home for several years before he left.

    On how much was paid to the account in total, the witness said: “About 4.7billion was paid to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account from ONSA.”

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from ONSA contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    He had pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1,219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    EFCC listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses that will testify in the trial, which continues today.

  • Obanikoro: it’s painful testifying against Fayose

    A former Minister of State for defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on Monday told the Federal High Court in Lagos it was tough accepting to testify against his friend, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    He spoke while testifying in Fayose’s trial for money laundering before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Obanikoro admitted he returned N200million to the Federal Government.

    He said it was part of funds received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) during the 2014 Ekiti election.

    Read Also: My role in movement of $5m to Fayose, by Obanikoro

    On testifying against Fayose, he said: “I am trying to restrain myself saying things that will further damage my relationship with him.

    “It’s very painful for me to give evidence against him, no doubt about that.”

    Obanikoro admitted he led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) team that was in Ekiti for Fayose’s victory.

  • My role in movement of $5m to Fayose, by Obanikoro

    A former Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro on Monday told the Federal High Court in Lagos the role he played in transferring $5million to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    He testified in Fayose’s trial before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Fayose and Abiodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, with taking possession of N1, 219, 000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes Sections 1, 15 (2) (d and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4)..

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, said the money was paid to Fayose’s account from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in June 2014.

    According to the former minister, in June 2014 ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election, he received a call from Fayose asking if there was any “message” from the then National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    Obanikoro said the NSA eventually confirmed to him that he had a “message” for the accused.

    The witness said Dasuki told him the money would be received in an account opened to manage Boko Haram insurgency under his watch as Minister of State for Defence.

    “The NSA told me that Fayose will call me as to how he will receive the money.

    “A total equivalent of $5million from the NSA imprest account was given to Fayose by the order of NSA,” Obanikoro said.

    The witness said Fayose introduced Biodun Agbele to him, explaining he would be the one to receive the money for him, which was done at the Akure Airport “because it was physical cash.”

    “I had earlier wanted to transfer the dollars so that the naira equivalent can be withdrawn in Ado Ekiti, which was the reason why I initially called Diamond Bank Managing Director but he replied that the bank did not have such capacity in Ado Ekiti for that huge amount of money,” Obanikoro said.

    The former minister said his late aide was in the meeting where Fayose acknowledged receipt of total naira equivalent of $5million at Spotless Hotel owned by Fayose.

    Jacobs then showed the witness Exhibit E to confirm if it was the account to which the funds were transferred and the witness replied: “Yes”.

    Obanikoro told the court that on June 13, 2014, and June 16, 2014, funds were posted into the account, adding that the funds were from the NSA’s imprest account.

    He said that he asked Fayose how he wanted the money sent and the former governor told him that some it should be paid in naira and others in dollars.

    According to the witness, the money was eventually brought in a bullion van to the private wing of the Ikeja Airport where Agbele, sent by Fayose, was on standby.

    He testified that after confirmation from the accused, the money was taken to Ado-Ekiti, following which he went to meet Fayose.

    Obanikoro said the transactions occurred “about three days to the election”.

    On the source of the money, the witness said: “The NSA is the only person that can ascertain the source of the money; it is from the imprest account of the NSA.”

    Obanikoro said that the account from which the money was transferred from was used for security purposes.

    Four witnesses had earlier testified last November 19. A banker Danmola Otuyena told the court that about three aircraft were used to fly N1.2billion from Lagos to Ekiti State for delivery to Fayose.

    Otuyena, who headed his bank’s Cash in Transit Services Unit when the transaction occurred, said he accompanied the bullion van that took the cash to airport.

    Zonal Heads, Southwest 1 and 2 of a new generation bank Lawrance Akande and Abiodun Oshodi, and the Head of Financial Operations of another new generation bank Olaitan Fajuyitan also testified.

    Akande testified that he was informed that money would be brought from the Akure airport to be paid into the accounts of Spotless Nigeria Limited (Fayose’s company and co-accused) and De Privateer Limited.

    Read Also: Fatima Obanikoro: Never give up on your dreams

    He said Fayose’s associate Abiodun Agbele called him in June 2014 saying he had a lodgment of N1.2billion to make.

    He said he also got a call from Fayose to that effect.

    Akande said he asked Oshodi to follow the transaction, adding that they had solicited for deposits from Fayose.

    “I had no reason to regard the funds as proceeds of crime. I didn’t observe any anomalies in the operation of the accounts,” he said under cross examination.

    Oshodi testified that he organised a bullion van that took the money from Akure airport to the bank for lodgment.

    “Biodun Agbele came with a security escort, including police and soldiers, and we went to the Akure airport with the branch manager and the bullion van.

    “We moved the bullion van close to the plane and then evacuated the cash. The former minister was there also.

    “Agbele supplied the accounts where the money would be lodged – De Privateer, Spotless and the personal account of Fayose,” he said.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned until February 4, 5 and 6 for Obanikoro’s cross-examination.

  • Police arrest impersonator of State House staff

    The FCT Police Command has arrested one Abubakar Sadiq Abdullahi ‘m’ 42 years for allegedly impersonating staff of State House under the office of the National Security Adviser.

    The suspect according to the police hides under the same pretence to fraudulently solicit for favour from government agencies.

    The Police in a statement in Abuja on Thursday by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said the suspect was arrested on 4th October, 2018 following a complaint from the Department of Petroleum Resources that he (the suspect) wrote a letter to the agency with a forged State House letter headed paper directing it to offer employment to one of his unsuspecting clients.

    The Police said after he was arrested, the Commissioner of Police Monitoring and Mentoring Unit carried out a discreet investigation that led to the recovery of some forged letters purportedly from the State House written by the suspect to some government agencies soliciting for contract offer and employment opportunities for his clients who pay him for such services.

    Manzah also said his accomplice, one Salishu Abdulrasheed ‘m’ 24 years who assists him to produce the forged document has also been arrested by the investigating team at Kaduna state where he operates his shop.

    The exhibits recovered from the suspects include seven forged State House documents that were written to some government agencies and departments and a fake Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) identity card which contains the suspect’s photograph.

    The Command advised government and private agencies to always do thorough background check on documents, especially on those soliciting for any kind of favour and also ascertain the source before acting on them.

    The Police also said the suspects will soon be charged to court.

  • Obasanjo urges sustained efforts in tackling violent extremism

    Obasanjo urges sustained efforts in tackling violent extremism

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to sustain the on-going fight against the insurgents and other crimes in the country.

    Obasanjo made the remarks while presenting a paper at a two-day workshop on ‘Preventing Violent Extremism in Nigeria’, in Abuja.

    The event was jointly organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser to the president (ONSA) and CLUB DE MADRID, an international NGO.

    Obasanjo explained that the reason for establishing the NGO, which he was part of, was to promote and propagate democracy that works all over the world.

    He, therefore, urged the political class and the government to strengthen democracy by delivering its dividends to Nigerians.

    This, he said, would go a long way in combating violent extremism or any group thinking of disturbing the peace of the country.

    The former president said violent extremism does not just spring up overnight but do come about due to lack of adequate communication between the ruled and the rulers.

    Obasanjo urged the Federal Government to intensify and sustain its on-going efforts in tackling the activities of the insurgents and other crimes in the country.

    He also urged governments at various levels to be proactive by addressing certain issues at the right time, especially those that could lead to violent extremism in the country.

    The former president advised the Federal Government to, as matter of urgency, address some pressing issues in the country, especially the agitation of the Niger Delta as well as other agitators in the country.

    “With early intervention and sensitive issues being addressed and handled properly, the Niger Delta militants and others would have been avoided.

    “With early intervention and sensitive issues being addressed timely and properly, the country will also witness unprecedented development,” he said.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies for their efforts so far in combating the activities of the insurgents and other crimes in the country.

    The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Munguno, said that ONSA had done a lot in the security of the country, especially in the North- East.

    The NSA, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, ONSA, Alhaji Aminu Nabegu, said that ONSA had contributed a lot to global efforts in tackling violent extremism.

    Munguno said that tackling violent extremism demanded a comprehensive approach if the desired results were to be achieved by any country and the world in general.

    He said that the essence of the two day workshop was to chart a new narrative to ways and manner of tackling violent extremism in Nigeria.

    According to him, various governments must consistently invest in their people as one of the panacea to ending violent extremism in the country.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that in the nearest future, countries will come to Nigeria to understudy how we were able to combat violent extremism,” he said.

    Munguno also called on Muslim leaders in the country to teach their followers the tenets of Islamic religion for better understanding to avoid misinterpretation.

    “I hope that at the end of this workshop, it will go a long way in preventing violent extremism in the country,” he said.

  • FG Panel raises alarm over loss of 90 billion naira to cyber crimes

    FG Panel raises alarm over loss of 90 billion naira to cyber crimes

    A Federal Government Panel on National Cyber Security has raised the alarm over persistent cyber security threats and internet hackings across the country, saying that the country has been losing 90 billion naira every year to cyber crimes since 2014.

    At its inauguaral meeting in Abuja, the panel which comprises of representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Nigeria Postal Service, NIPOST, NigComSat, Nigeria Computer Society, and CS2 called for concerted efforts to arrest the situation.

    The panel also known as the inter-ministerial Technical Committee on the implementation of the National Cyber security Strategy insisted that pro-active measures should be taken to address the problem.

    A statement endorsed by the Head of Corporate Affairs of NITDA, Mrs Hadiza Umar noted that the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami urged the panel to urgently address the misuse and abuse of access to the tools of Information Technology,

    Pantami stated that, “these Information Technological tools that have become vital in our critical activities are also avenues adopted by individuals and groups to carry out a range of malicious activities” adding that these threats could be targeted at national critical infrastructures, government/private institutions or individuals.

    “Today, information assets are very valuable and various sectors of the Nigerian government have come to rely on technological tools to carry out their processes both critical and non-critical. Financial services, Telecommunications, Navigation systems, Manufacturing Sector, Oil and Gas, Power and Energy, Food and Agriculture, Emergency Services, Public Healthcare, Water and Waste Management Systems amongst others now strongly rely on digital systems networks”, he said.

    The NITDA boss further disclosed that research findings indicate that “out of about 97 million internet users in Nigeria, 14% suffer cyber-attacks. In 2013, global payment giant, paypal.com disclosed that Nigerians lost about 159 billion naira to cyber security threats and more worrisome is the fact that since 2014, the country has been losing approximately 90 billion naira to cybercrime and in December 2015.”

    ” Nigeria was the 17th most attached nation in the world based on threat intelligence drawn from Check Point Software Technologies. Office of the National Security adviser (ONSA) recently disclosed that of the 2,175 Nigerian websites hacked in 2015, 585 were government owned”, he added.

    The scale and dimension of these threats according to Dr Pantami has compelled the Agency to develop and implement a new cyber security strategy for the Federal Civil and Public Service Sector with the approval of the Minister of Communications.

    He called for continuous collaborative efforts as information security is not a one – off programme, as according to him the threat landscape keeps changing.

  • How Jonathan’s ex-aide bought Abuja house with N650m from ONSA —Witness

    How Jonathan’s ex-aide bought Abuja house with N650m from ONSA —Witness

    A Federal High Court in Abuja heard yesterday how former Principal Secretary to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan facilitated the purchase of a property in Maitama, Abuja with N650 million 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 cousine, 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 had never related with them until they met them in court yesterday. 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 to 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 N650 million, 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 should 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 sigh 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 is like that it is like 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 number at Wema Bank. “Suddenly on December 9, 2014, I got an alert of N650 million 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 to 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.

  • Parties agree to re-assign Dasuki, others’ cases

    Parties agree to re-assign Dasuki, others’ cases

    Parties in the criminal cases involving former a National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and others have agreed that the two charges against them be brought before a single judge for determination.

    They resolved on Wednesday to approach the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), before which the cases are pending, to seek his approval for re-assignment of both cases to Justice Husein Baba-Yusuf.

    The first case involves Dasuki, a former Director of Finance, Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu; a former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa and his two companies – Acacia Holding Limited, and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

    They are accused of diverting about N13.6 billion belonging to ONSA.

    The case is being handled by Justice Baba-Yusuf.

    The second case, now before Justice Peter Affen (also of the High Court of the FCT), involves Dasuki, ex-Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former Director of Finance at ONSA, Shuaibu Salisu, a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir Bafarawa and their company, Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    They are accused of diverting about N9.2billion from ONSA.

    At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), suggested that the court shelved the scheduled hearing of a motion by Dasuki, challenging the simultaneous existence of both cases.

  • Dasukigate: Court grants bail to businessman allegedly paid N2.4bn

    Dasukigate: Court grants bail to businessman allegedly paid N2.4bn

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a businessman, Olugbenga Obadina, the Managing Director, Almond Projects Limited who was allegedly paid about N2.4billion by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), without evidence of services rendered.

    Obadina was arraigned with his company last Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge for allegedly collecting N2, 417, 000,000.00 paid into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015 from the account of the ONSA under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) without contract award.

    The offence is contrary to Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    Ruling on Monday, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba admitted Obadina at N500million  with two sureties who must each endorse a bond of N250m.

    The judge said the sureties can be a private businessman, professional or civil servant of the rank of a director.

    “The sureties must have landed properties either in Asokoro, Maitama, Apo Legislative quarters, Wuse II area of Abuja, or Victoria Island, Lagos State. The sureties are to provide evidence of income tax payment for three years,” the judge said.

    He directed Obadina to deposit his international passports with the registrar of the court, and must go to the EFCC to comply with Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which entails submitting himself for biodata collection, fingerprinting, snapshot and necessary profiling.

    Obadina is to be remanded in prison custody pending satisfaction of his bail conditions.

    The judge adjourned to September 30 and October 4, 2016 for trial.

     

  • N116b ONSA contracts: FG to refer 300 indicted persons, firms to EFCC, ICPC, Police

    N116b ONSA contracts: FG to refer 300 indicted persons, firms to EFCC, ICPC, Police

    The Federal Government may refer 300 persons and firms implicated in the N116billion contracts in the Office of the National Security Adviser to investigating agencies.

    Those who may either probe or prosecute the indicted persons and firms are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force.

    But there was panic yesterday within the ranks and file of those implicated in the contract scams.

    Although about three of the indicted persons were said to have gone on self-exile, it was learnt that they might be extradited.

    Some persons and firms were allegedly perfecting plans to go to court as from Monday for “not getting fair hearing”.

    These disclosures were made last night by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a chat with our correspondent.

    Shehu said: “The funds recovered so far were effected by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “The investigating agencies, including EFCC, ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force will handle the case of indicted persons and firms accordingly.

    “This matter will not be managed by only one agency. Depending on the allegations, each of the investigating agencies will look into them as appropriate.”

    Shehu had on Thursday claimed that the ONSA committee had recovered over N7billion from those indicted.

    The indicted companies are to refund another N41 billion.

    But the investigating agencies, including the EFCC, will determine whether another N75 billion should be recovered from some of the companies.

    As at press time, it was gathered that three of the indicted persons have gone on self-exile.

    A top source said: “Immediately President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated, one of the affected persons decided to go on self-exile and even asked the embattled ex-NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, to sneak out of the country.

    “But Dasuki stood his ground to stay at home and account for all his actions in office.

    “Before the list was released on Thursday, two others were said to have fled to some countries in a pre-emptive manner having got some intelligence report.

    “There is, however, no hiding place. All those who have gone abroad under a guise or the other will be extradited.”

    Findings revealed that there was panic among those indicted persons and firms.

    The top source added: “Most of these highly-placed people and respected firms had been trying to reach out to the government, but they have met brick walls.

    “The government has shut out these people and firms. The directive from the presidency is that they should go and refund money illegally paid to them for jobs not done.”

    It was also confirmed that some of those indicted persons or companies might challenge the recommendations of the committee in court.

    One of the indicted persons said: “Some of us will seek redress in court because we were not given fair hearing. Some of us presented documents relating to the contracts given to us, evidence of the execution of the contracts, but the committee raised issues on non-payment of taxes.

    “We went back and paid necessary taxes only to find our names among those to refund funds. It is traumatizing but we will raise legal issues. We will certainly meet in court.”

    The ONSA Committee had found out that one of the indicted companies, Societe D’Equipment International, was overpaid by 7.9 million Euros and $7.09 million.

    It noted that many contractors were apparently overpaid, while others were given full upfront payments contrary to their contract terms and agreements.

    The panel also uncovered evidence of payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual agreement or evidence of jobs executed.

    The committee discovered that some companies failed to fulfil their tax obligations for contracts executed.

    It recovered some of the funds from these individuals and organizations, amounting to N3, 537,549,223.04, $8,000,000.00 and houses worth 512,000,000 from 32 companies.

    The panel also established that some individuals and companies received money without evidence of contractual agreements or jobs done.

    The amount received by these individuals was N7, 104,925,000.

    It directed some companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially to make refunds.

    The total amount to be refunded is N19, 896,539,125.20, $43,771,433.73 and two houses in Abuja worth N260, 000,000.

    Fifteen firms, the panel said,  were awarded contracts that require further investigation to ascertain their status. The total value of the contracts in this category was N11, 726,571,161.00, $202,136,890.00 and €4,114,752.96.

    The companies include: Abrahams Telecommunication Limited and Value Trust Investment Limited RC 1050628 and RC133792, Bilal Turnkey Contractors Limited RC 616389, Circular Automobile Limited RC 953549, Continental Project Associates Limited RC 1201210, Da’voice Network Solutions Limited RC 658879.

    Others are Foretech Investment Limited RC 759046, Forts and Sheild Limited RC 1148793, GDP Associated Limited RC 830715, Hakimco Automobiles – RC 904389, Hamada Properties and Investment Limited RC 635720, International Resources Management Company RC 228657, Investment Options Limited – RC 133484, Jakadiya Picture Company Limited RC 270972, JBE Multimedia Investment Limited RC 48875, Kamala Motors Limited RC 845545, Key Information Services Limited RC 297516.

    Also investigated are Leeman Communications Limited RC 499781, MCAF Associates RC 734745, Moortown Global Investment RC 968416, Syntec Nigeria Limited RC 220165, Trafiga Limited RC 1098961, Trim Communications Limited RC 261180, Securicor Emergency and Safety RC 431246, Sologic Integrated Services Limited RC 744982, Wada Autos Limited RC 1082513, Zukhruf Nigeria Limited RC 306244, 2020 Nigeria Limited RC 1090292 and A and B Associates Limited RC 279980.

    The individuals and companies that received payments without contractual agreements include: Bello Matawalle, Brig.-Gen. A.S. Mormoni-Bashir (the former Principal General Staff Officer at the ONSA, who is still  serving), Alhaji Umar Sani, Dr Yakubu Sanky, Baba Bala, Ambassador Clement Layiwola Laseinde (a Director in the ONSA), an architect from Baitil Atiq Travels and Tours.

    Others are Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu (the former Director of Finance and Administration at (ONSA), Col. Bello Fadile (rtd) (Special Adviser to Lt Col Sambo Dasuki; former NSA) , Otunba Adelakun, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, Dr Tunji Olagunju, Miss Oluwatoyin Oluwagbayi, Lt Col MS Dasuki (rtd) (the former NSA).

    Also listed are Maipata Mohammed Abubakar, Mohammed Suleiman from Musaco investment and properties, Ibrahim Abdullahi also from Musaco investment and properties, Alhaji Aliyu Usman, and 18 other officers that served in the ONSA.

    The companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially, and have been asked to refund various sums are: A and Hatman Limited, Abuja Consulting Limited, Afro-Arab Investment, Agbede A Adeshina and Co, Aleppo Systems Nigeria Limited – RC 947255, Amp Africa Holdings and Solar Services, Apple Drops Nigeria Limited – RC 1102219, Apt Security Limited – RC 165189, Autoforms Integrated Enterprises Limited – RC 1234829, Axis Consulting Services Limited – RC 1151145, Belsha Nigeria Limited.

    Community Defence Law Foundation – RC/IT No 56854, Complus International Service Limited, Cosse Limited – RC 316214, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited, Dalhatu Investment Limited – RC 404535, Destra Investment Limited, Development Strategies International Limited – RC 361191.

    Others are DFX/White Zebu BDC – RC787658/RC1049919, Duchy Concepts Limited RC392281, Fara Security Limited RC 694607, Fimex Gilt Nigeria Limited RC 143150, First Aralac Global Limited RC939512, Fix-HYL Global Investment RC1129654, Good year Properties Limited RC1168828, Image Merchant Promotions Limited RC 416703,

    Interglobal Limited RC 189188, Jos Peace Dialogue Forum CAC/IT/No75434, Kakatar Limited RC 443321, Leaderette Nigeria/Norden Global RC 422129/RC1119925, London Advertising Limited UK BASED, Mithra Oil Limited RC 620979, NigerLink BOG (Under Musaco Investment)

    RC 834592, Iban Global (Under Musaco Investment), Musaco Investment (Bank Charges), Mystrose Limited RC 475579, NAF Holding Company Limited.

    Also listed are: Peach Tree Communications Limited RC 410115, Perception BDC RC 740741, Pioneer Ventures RC 69776, Proptex Nigerian Limited – RC 116801, Prosedec Interglobal Limited RC 619845, Real Property Investment Limited RC 294761, Sinash Communications Limited RC 333134, Skytick International Limited RC 798693, Soject Nigeria Limited RC 74991, StellaVera Development Company Limited RC 713258.

    Others who defaulted on their contractual agreements include Teracon AG SWISS BASED, Wehsec Farms Limited RC 713258, African Cable Television Limited RC 1113903, BCN Nigeria Limited RC 50969, Brains and Hammers RC 655673, Concept Options Ultimate Limited RC 604167, Elizade Nigeria Limited RC 11544, Emerging Platforms Limited RC 922205, EMI System Nigeria Limited RC 248986, Hadassa Investment and Security RC 709085, Kala Consulting Solutions Limited RC 98562, Pioneer Ventures, Nan Bizcom Nigeria Limited RC 680708, Nerres Limited RC 1138835, Plectrum Consulting Limited RC 937931, Protech Consultant RC 301426, Summit Publications Limited RC 304671, Telios Development Limited RC 468351, Urban Abode Nigeria Limited RC 651613, RCN Networks Limited RC 439720, Sail International Limited RC 97863, Suburban Broadway Limited – RC 469689, Geronimo Middle East and Africa, Julius Berger RC 6852, Romgat Morgan Nigeria Limited RC 902020, and Stallion Motors Limited RC 178627.

    Contracts awarded to the following companies are to be further investigated: 2020 Nigeria Limited RC 1090292, Acacia Holdings Limited RC 940978, Africair Incorporated US Company, Augusta Westland Limited, Almond Project Limited, Bam Project and Properties, Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited RC 790662, Coral Builders Limited RC 397748, Dan Clington Nigeria Limited RC 940978, Law Partners and Associates BN/UY/004566, Magnificient 5 ventures Limited BN/2299463, MPS Global Services Limited.

    Others are One plus Holdings Nigeria Limited RC 695999, Quadsix Nigeria Limited RC 1177968, and Reliance Reference Hospitals.