EFCC recovers N2.4bn from ex Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday told Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos that the sums of N2.4 billion and $115,000 have been recovered from a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu (rtd.)

Also, the anti-graft commission recovered N383 million from Amosu’s wife, Omolara.

EFCC made the disclosure while testifying in the on-going trial of Amosu and 10 others over alleged N22.8 billion fraud. The former Chief of Air Staff was, on June 29, 2016, arraigned by the anti-graft agency alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga and eight companies over the alleged offence.

The companies 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. In his testimony before the court, Owobo said the commission has successfully recovered part of the money allegedly stolen by the defendants.

The witness added that cars and landed property were equally seized from the defendants. He said: “About N100 million was recovered from the third defendant, Air Commodore Gbadebo. Funds were also left over in St Solomon’s bank account, recovered through the first defendant’s wife. “About N383 million was recovered through the first defendant’s wife. The first defendant (Amosu) also refunded two bank drafts of N2.4 billion in our Lagos and Abuja offices. We also recovered $115,000 in one of the first defendant’s residences. Various landed property and buildings were recovered from the second defendant.”    

Owobo listed the recovered vehicles to include a bulletproof Lexus LX 570, a bulletproof Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle and a Toyota Avalon. Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to April 18. The commission had, at the last hearing of the matter, told the court that it is yet to reach any plea bargain agreement with the defendants. EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the judge that no “concrete” agreement had been reached. “We’ve not reached any concrete agreement that is acceptable to the complainant. We’re here with our witness and we’re ready to go on with trial,” he said.

Some of the counts against the accused persons read as thus: “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.      

“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. between the 23rd and 24th day of September, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, indirectly converted the sum of N976 million, property of the Nigerian Air Force.”