N21.5bn fraud: EFCC files fresh charge against Amosu, others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh charge against a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu(Rtd) and two others before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged N21.5 billion fraud. Charged alongside Amosu in the 13-count amended charge marked FHC/ L/280C/16, are: a former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga.
It would be recalled that the trio had earlier been docked alongside eight companies by the anti-graft agency on the June 29, 2016, before Justice Mohammed Idris on a 26-count charge bordering on the alleged offence.
The Companies involved 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 case was however re-assigned to Justice Aneke following the elevation of Justice Idris to the Court of Appeal. At yesterday’s proceedings, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, drew the court’s attention to the amended charge. Responding, defence lawyers, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Norrison Quakers (SAN) expressed their resolve to challenge the charge.
The matter has been adjourned to the of November 6, 2018 for possible arraignment of Amosu and others on the amended charge. Some of the counts in the amended charge reads: “That you, AIR MARSHAL ADESOLA AMOSU NUNAYON (RTD), AIR VICE MARSHAL JACOB BOLA ADIGUN AND AIR COMMODORE GBADEBO OWODUNNI OLUGBENGA, on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N21,467,634,707.43 (Twenty One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seven Naira, Forty Three Kobo), property of the Nigerian Air Force which you sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities.
It would be recalled that the trio had earlier been docked alongside eight companies by the anti-graft agency on the June 29, 2016, before Justice Mohammed Idris on a 26-count charge bordering on the alleged offence.
The Companies involved 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 case was however re-assigned to Justice Aneke following the elevation of Justice Idris to the Court of Appeal. At yesterday’s proceedings, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, drew the court’s attention to the amended charge. Responding, defence lawyers, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Norrison Quakers (SAN) expressed their resolve to challenge the charge.
The matter has been adjourned to the of November 6, 2018 for possible arraignment of Amosu and others on the amended charge. Some of the counts in the amended charge reads: “That you, AIR MARSHAL ADESOLA AMOSU NUNAYON (RTD), AIR VICE MARSHAL JACOB BOLA ADIGUN AND AIR COMMODORE GBADEBO OWODUNNI OLUGBENGA, on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N21,467,634,707.43 (Twenty One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seven Naira, Forty Three Kobo), property of the Nigerian Air Force which you sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities.
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