N22.8b Fraud: Ex-Air Force Chief, Amosu Refunds N4b To FG, As Court Remands Him, Others In Custody

N22.8b Fraud: Ex-Air Force Chief, Amosu Refunds N4b To FG, As Court Remands Him, Others In Custody

The Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (Rtd) has returned N4 billion to the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC and counsel to the former Air Force bose, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde confirmed this fact to judiciary Correspondents after he and ten others were arraignment by the Commission before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over an alleged N22.8 billion fraud.

Amosu, was arraigned alongside two senior serving Air Force officers, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga and eight 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 the accused persons of converting and stealing the sum 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).

The accused persons were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money.

Air Marshal Amosu and Air Vice Marshal Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014, allegedly removed
over N663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to purchase properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH)
and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

They were also accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo in Victoria Island with N1.5billion.

According to the EFCC 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 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 used N428,139,539.00 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.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While moving the bail application on behalf of his client, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said Amosu has been cooperating fully with EFCC since his arrest in January 2016.

He also said, "He has remitted the sum of N4 billion to the federal government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies. 

"I therefore urged the court to granted bail to the 1st accused person (Amosu) on self-recognisance or if the court want to impose conditions it should be very liberal.

"My client has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The 1st defendant will make himself available for trial", he stated. 

Also, Norrison Quakers (SAN), leading Kemi Balogun (SAN) and other lawyers for 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants urged the court to grant their client bail on liberal terms. 

He submitted that his client has been cooperative since his arrest, adding that the accused has health challenge. "The Commission is aware of it.

"My humble application is that your lordship grant bail on liberal terms. Incidentally, the 2nd defendant is on administrative bail by the Commission. He will be available for trial," he submitted.  

Counsel to the 3rd, 9th and 10th defendants, A Etuokwu also urged the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms, adding that he is still a serving military officer.

The lawyer said,  "He is a serving military man and has a debilitating heart condition. He has also cooperated with the EFCC and we urge the court to grant him bail on liberal terms". 

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo did not oppose the bail applications but urged the court to give stringent conditions that would secure the accused persons attendance i court. 

In his ruling, Justice Idris granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum. 

The judge also held that the two sureties must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court and that they must deposit their title documents with the registrar of the court while the EFCC must verify the documents.

The court also stated that the sureties must swear to affidavit of means to be verified by the EFCC while the accused persons must deposit their international passports with the court.

Before adjourned case to July 8 for trial, Justice Idris remanded the 1st and 3rd accused persons to prison custody while the 2nd accused is to be kept in the EFCC custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions. 

Count one read: “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 converted and concealed the sums, which they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing.”