Tag Archives: Amosu

Ex-Airforce Boss Amosu Objects As EFCC Tenders Incriminating Documents In Court

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Former Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (Rtd) yesterday objected to a move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tender some bank documents that showed how connived with some others to defraud the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

At the resumed trial, counsel for the commission, Rotimi Oyedepo, sought the court’s leave to call on Tosin Owobo, an operative of the EFCC who is also a witness in the ongoing trial, to tender some letters obtained during investigations.

Owobo revealed that he obtained some documents from Heritage Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Skye Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Fidelity, Keystone and Diamond Bank, that showed details of how monies were moved by companies linked to the former Chief of Air Staff.

Mr. Oyedepo then asked to tender one of the letters from FCMB as evidence before the court Bolaji Ayorinde, counsel to Amosu, objected.  He claimed that the letter cannot be taken as evidence having been certified by EFCC and signed by the witness who is not the maker of the letter.

According to Ayorinde: “The witness is not the maker of the letter even though he claimed to have come across it in the course of an investigation. He cannot tender a document certified by him in favor of his commission.”

He argued that only the bank, being the originator, could certify the documents, and urged the court to reject them as being inadmissible.

Norrisson Quakers, the counsel to the second defendant, expressed the same view, adding that since the letter was not a public document but originated from a private institution, it cannot be admitted in evidence.

Quakers further claimed that EFCC was not in the position to certify the document, adding that one of the criteria for certifying any document was the cost of certification, which was not shown by the prosecutor.

Affirming that the witness was the same person who certified the letter, he called on the court to let it “fly out through the window”.

Oyedepo, responding to the defense lawyers, attempted to withdraw the letter.

“I will not be joining issues with the senior advocates and my learned colleagues because I still have questions to ask the witness,” he said.  “So, because of time, I move to withdraw the letter.”

Ayorinde objected, saying that although the prosecutor could withdraw the letter if he so wished, the court must mark it as rejected.

Mr. Quakers also added that the prosecution could not withdraw the letter after the defense had objected to its admissibility and that Mr. Oyedepo ought to have withdrawn it before counsel argued. He also claimed that the move by the prosecutor to withdraw the letter showed the potency of their argument.

In ruling, Justice Ibrahim Idris agreed that the prosecution could not withdraw a document that had been argued, and could only argue the objection.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to February 24.

Amosu was arraigned alongside a former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, for money laundering and conspiracy.

 

Source: Sahara Reporters

Amosu, Others Diverted N3b NIMASA Funds To Personal Business – Witness

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Tosin Owobo, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday described to a Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria, how now-retired Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Nanayon and two other Air Force chiefs diverted the sum of N3 billion meant for the security of the country’s maritime environment into his personal oil and gas companies.

Led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo, who is an Assistant Detective Superintendent with the anti-graft agency, offered graphic details of how Nanayon, who was at the time Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff (COAS), received the money from the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the leadership of Patrick Akpolobokemi.

Amosu is standing trial before the court over the fraud alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, and eight fictitious companies.

The companies facing trial alongside the three Air Force chiefs are: Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, and Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care.

At the resumed trial on Wednesday, Mr. Owobo informed the court that the anti-graft agency discovered in its investigation that there was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Nigerian Air force (NAF) and NIMASA while Air Marshall Alex Badeh was the nation’s COAS, and that a sum of N1. 480 billion was paid by NIMASA to the NAF account in 2014 for securing the nation’s maritime environment.

He said the money was paid in two tranches of N1.480 million into an account with Skye Bank.

Owobo also told the court that on assumption of office by Air Marshal Amosu as the nation’s COAS, he continued with Badeh’s MOU, and made a proposal of N4 billion to NIMASA which he claimed was needed to manage Maritime Security, but stated that the former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Akpolobokemi, only released the sum of N3 billion, which was paid in three tranches of N1 billion each into the Special Emergency Operation of NAF .

The witness, who was the third in the criminal trial, further stated that upon investigating how the money was spent, he said it was discovered that the monies were diverted into the Air Force chief’s oil and gas companies.

Those firms were identified as: Right Option Oil and Gas Limited, Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, and Deegee Oil and Gas Limited.

An attempt by the witness to give details of the documents tendered as exhibits in the trial was however opposed by the lawyers representing the accused persons: Bolaji Ayorinde, Kemi Balogun and Norrison Quakers, leading 11 others.  They argued that the witness was not the maker of the document tendered, neither did he confirm the authentication of the documents from the maker, and that he cannot, therefore, cannot give evidence on the exhibits.

Mr.  Oyedepo, urging the court to discountenance the objection raised by the defence, affirmed that the witness is an Investigating Officer who investigated the alleged crime and can therefore give evidence on the documents tendered.

Prior to the commencement of the day’s proceedings, the presiding judge, Mohammed Idris, ruled against the reliefs sought by the defence, in which they urged the court to expunge earlier evidence given by the witness in the trial.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till tomorrow for ruling on whether Mr. Owobo can give evidence on the documents tendered, and for continuation of the trial of the suspects.

The suspects were first arraigned before the court on June 29 on 23 counts charge relating to fraud, money laundering and stealing.

The prosecution says the offences are contrary to sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of that law.

 

Source: Sahara Reporters

EFCC begins trial of ex-NAF chief, others over alleged N22.8bn fraud.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday opened its case against a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd.), and 10 others being tried for an alleged fraud of N22.8billion before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The EFCC called its first prosecution witness, Mojeed Olatunji, a compliant officer with Skype Bank Plc, who tendered some documents against the defendants.

Amosu, was arraigned on June 29 this year by the EFCC alongside two senior serving Air Force officers, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga and seven companies before Justice Mohammed Idris.

Companies named in the charge are 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.

The EFCC accused them of conspiracy, stealing, money laundering, concealing of proceeds of crime and conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Airforce to their personal use around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the

Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a).

However, the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges, a development which made the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris to grant Amosun, Adigun and Olugbenga bail in the sum of N500million each with two sureties in like sum.

Court Adjourns Fraud Trial of Former NAF Chief Amosu And 10 Others

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Rtd. Chief of Air Staff Adesola Amosu and 10 others, who are under trial for a N22.8bn fraud, say they are still in plea bargain talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Defence counsel Norrison Quakers said this on Tuesday before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that he was ready to open his case against the defendants and had already brought two witnesses to court for trial to commence.

Mr. Oyedepo said the EFCC had discharged its obligations by serving the proof of evidence on the defendants.

But responding,Bolaji Ayorinde told the court that the matter was only adjourned till Tuesday for mention, citing court records, and that the case could not be heard.

In his own submission, Mr. Quakers aligned himself with Ayorinde, pointing out that the defendants were still in plea bargain talks with the EFCC.

In a short ruling, Justice Idris said he confirmed from the court’s record that the matter was adjourned only for mention and not for trial.

He consequently granted the prayer of the defence counsel for an adjournment, and adjourned till October 20, 21 and 24, 2016 for trial.

Air Marshal Amosu and three others: Air Vice-Marshal Jacob Nola Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, were arraigned onJune 29th on a 26-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering to which they pleaded not guilty.

The defendants were also accused of indirectly converting the sum of N3.6bn, property of the Nigerian Air Force to their own.

Reports have it that some of the trio’s properties have been confiscated by the EFCC and the sum of N2.8bn recovered has been returned.

The trio are standing trial alongside eight companies, namely: Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, as well as Fonds and Pricey Limited.

They are accused of conspiring among themselves in March 2014 to convert N21.5bn belonging to the Nigerian Air Force into their personal use in contravention of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

Justice Idris admitted Amosu, Adigun and Olugbenga to a bail of N500m each with two sureties in like sum.

But on July 8, 2016, the defence counsels Bolaji Ayorinde, Quakers, Kemi Balogun and A. Etuokwu, informed the court of their clients’ intention to enter into a plea bargain, and requested an adjournment to work on their bail to smoothen their talks with the EFCC.

In another charge, the EFCC alleged that Amosu and the others stole N323,319,283.81 from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between the March 2014 and March 2015  to purchase for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

Alleged N22b Fraud: Amosu ‘Returns N2.6b To Fed Govt’

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The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), charged with laundering N21billion, has returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government.

His lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), while arguing Amosu’s bail application after he was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris, said his client had returned “collossal sums”.

Amosu returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government, reporters learnt.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

The companies arraigned with them are 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.

EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 17(a).

Arguing the bail application, Ayorinde said his client, who pleaded not guilty, had always been cooperative with the prosecution since his arrest in January and would not jump bail.

“He has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies.

“My application is that bail be granted to the first defendant on self-recognisance. Let those terms be liberal. He has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The first defendant will make himself available for trial,” the Senior Advocate said.

Adigun’s lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), also urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. “Incidentally, the second defendant is on administrative bail by the commission. He will be available for trial,” he said.

Gbadebo’s lawyer, Mr A. Etuokwu also asked for bail for his client. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail applications, but urged the court to make the terms stringent.

Justice Idris granted them bail for N500 million with two sureties in same like sum. The sureties must be property owners within the court’s jurisdiction, he said.

Title documents of the properties must be submitted to the court’s registrar, which must be verified by the EFCC. The sureties must also swear to an affidavit of means which must be verified by the EFCC, the court ruled.

Justice Idris directed the defendants to submit their travel passport to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).

He ordered Amosu’s and Gbadebo’s remand in prison custody. Adigun is to be kept in EFCC custody because of his health condition pending when he fulfils his bail terms.

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,  allegedly removed over N663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to buy 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 as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, using the AirForce’s money.

Other properties they allegedly bought using the 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.

Between last March 6 and April 30, the accused allegedly spent N428,139,539.00, allegedly removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

Count one reads: “That You, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Nunayon (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, 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 on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N21,467,634,707.43, property of the Nigerian Air Force, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

EFCC said the accused persons converted and concealed the sums, which they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing.” They all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Idris adjourned till July 8 for trial.

Credit: Nation

Amosu Arraigned, Granted N500 Million Bail

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu, before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Mr. Amosu, a retired Air Marshal, was arraigned alongside Jacob Adigun, an Air Vice Marshal, and Gbadebo Olugbenga, an Air Commodore on a 26-count of stealing about N50 billion.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The judge granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Amosu Returns N2.3bn To FG- Report

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The immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), has returned N2.3bn to the Federal Government.

An impeccable source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told our correspondent that Amosu issued two bank drafts to the Federal Government as part of the funds allegedly diverted by his office as Chief of Air Staff.

The source said, “I can confirm to you that Amosu has returned N2.3bn. He raised two bank drafts. One draft was N2bn while the second was N300m.”

It was reported on February 11 that houses belonging to Amosu worth over N500m had been seized by the EFCC.

In Amosu’s Badagry home, the EFCC had also recovered about $140,000 in cash

It was also reported that the anti-graft agency recovered N381m from Amosu’s wife, Omolara. The money was recovered in three tranches of N180m, N101m and N100m.

The detective told our correspondent that the money was traced from the account of the Nigeria Air Force to the bank accounts of a company in which Amosu’s wife is a director.

Calculations by our correspondent on Tuesday showed that so far, the EFCC had recovered at least N4bn from Amosu in cash and assets.

Amosu and over 10 senior officers are being probed by the EFCC as part of the $2.1bn arms scam, especially in relation to the 10 contracts of the NAF, said to be worth $930,500,690.00.

Amosu and his predecessor, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.) were in January arrested for the non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

Amosu’s Wife Returns Stolen N381m To FG

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered N381m from Mrs. Omolara Amosu, the wife of the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Sources within the EFCC said on Saturday that the money was recovered in three tranches: N180m, N101m and N100m.

The detective said that the money was traced from the account of the Nigeria Air Force to the bank accounts of a company in which Amosu’s wife is a director.

He added that Amosu’s wife is a signatory to the accounts.

He said, “We recovered N381m from Amosu’s wife, Omolara. Initially, we recovered N180m from her account before another N101m and then N100m. These were monies transferred from Air Force accounts.”

Explaining how the money was diverted, the detective added, “They (Air Force officers) sent the money to an account where their wives have interests or are signatories without doing anything.”

A second source within the EFCC said that more properties belonging to the immediate past Chief of Accounts and Budgeting of NAF, Air Vice Marshal J.B. Adigun, had been seized.

The detective said a property, which is a quarry located in Ogun State, had equipment worth about $600,000.

He, however, did not state the value of the property.

Credit: Punch

EFCC Arrests Amosu’s wife,Recovers $1m From Soak Away Pit

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Today.ng reports that Mrs. Lara Amosu was arrested last week in Abuja by EFCC operatives, adding that she has been in the anti-graft custody in Lagos since last week.

A source disclosed that Lara’s lawyer has been making attempts to secure her release but had not gotten any positive result.

She was arrested after the sum of N3 billion was traced to her bank accounts. The money is believed to be part of the sum her husband is being probed for.

The source further hinted that some properties belonging to the former CAS were also held in trust for him by Lara and her children.

There were earlier reports that the anti-graft watch dog discovered a whooping sum of N17.5 billion in the accounts of wives of three airforce chiefs. The monies were reportedly disseminated in various banks accounts.

A source acquainted with the ongoing arms probe disclosed that N13 billion was traced to the bank accounts of the wife of a retired Air Vice Marshal, who held strategic position in the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), adding that N1.5 billion was discovered in the account of another serving senior officer. These officers handled the finance, budget and accounts of NAF.

The source said: “Shortly after Amosu was picked up in Abuja, his wife, Lara, was subsequently arrested. Investigations conducted showed that some of the monies the former Chief of Air Staff made through some contracts and procurements in NAF were traced to his wife’s accounts.

“About N3 billion was traced to the wife’s accounts while some assets acquired by the former service chief was in her name and some others in her company’s name.

“So, Lara is an accessory to a crime. The proceeds with her are from the arms funds. As we prosecute her husband, she must also be held accountable.”

It was gathered that the anti-graft agency pulled out the sum of $1 million cash from Amosu’s residence in Badagary, Lagos. The foreign currency was discovered when operatives carried out a search on the house.

The source said: “In continuation of the investigation into the arms probe, the EFCC operatives took Amosu to his residence in Badagry. After a thorough search of the residence, a fresh small ‘soakaway’ pit was discovered in the compound. The operatives suspected foul play, which informed the breaking of the ‘soakaway’. Surprisingly, $1 million was found in it. The money was subsequently confiscated.”

The EFCC arrested Amosu, Adigun, and Air Commodore O. Gbadebo two weeks ago over their involvement in the $2.1 billion arms scandal.

It was gathered that the EFCC flew the indicted officers were to Lagos in an airforce aircraft. They were allegedly discreetly kept in a hotel. The EFCC mobilized the indicted officers to assets traced to them and suspected to have been acquired with monies gotten from the arms deal. The anti-graft agency had sealed off some of the said properties.

EFCC Seizes N5bn Houses Of Ex-NAF Chief, Amosu, Others

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has seized houses and other properties belonging to the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), and other senior military officers worth N5bn.

 senior EFCC official, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the suspects and others were cooperating fully with the anti-graft agency.

The source in Abuja, said, “We have sealed a block of 12 luxury flats, located on Agodogba Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, belonging to Adigun. It is worth over N1.7bn. The same Adigun also owns another block of luxury flats on Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. It is worth N1.8bn

“A parcel of land, located on Bourdillon Drive, Ikoyi, worth N908m, belonging to Adigun has also been seized by the EFCC operatives.”

The source added that six other properties had been traced to Adigun, including a set of four terrace houses on Agede Street, off Aminu Kano in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja.

Credit: Punch

EFCC Detains Badeh, Gets Order To Hold Amosu

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), in connection with his alleged role in the $2.1bn arms purchase scam.

Badeh, who was clad in a brown kaftan and a black cap, arrived at the EFCC office around 10am on Monday.

The former defence chief had visited the commission on Thursday last week but was asked to report to the agency’s office on Monday.

Badeh, who was accompanied by three unidentified men, was escorted into the Idiagbon House headquarters of the EFCC by armed operatives.

He was subsequently interrogated by detectives for several hours.

As of 10pm, Badeh was still in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

An EFCC operative, said, “Badeh arrived at our office at 10am and as of 10pm, he is still with us.”

It was gathered that the commission had assembled two teams of EFCC operatives, who began the interrogation of the former chief of defence staff at about 10.30am on Monday.

It was learnt that he was asked to account for contracts awarded by the Nigeria Air Force when he was the chief of defence staff.

According to reports, contracts totalling $930,500,690.00 were by the military awarded under the leadership of Badeh.

The money is said to be part of the $2.1bn, which was under the control of the Office of the National Security Adviser, then under the headship of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Badeh is also said to be answering questions on the non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence with provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

Credit: Punch