- Moves Against AVM Amosu, Kenny Martins, Others
By Babajide Okeowo(Content Editor, The New Diplomat)
Notwithstanding the rising cases of Covid-19 incidents across the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is certain that all on-going cases against suspects in courts as well as those facing investigations won’t be derailed.
According to the EFCC, all cases and investigations involving high-profile persons and suspects including those of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, former Secretary to Government of the Federation(SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, former GMD of NNPC Mr Andrew Yakubu, Air Vice Marshal Amosu rtd, Chief Kenny Martins and Dr Doyin Okupe, among others would be painstakingly and unfailingly dealt with as the federal and state governments unlock the lockdown in the country in phases.
The EFCC which said it is working hard to bring all these suspects to book to account for their deeds or misdeeds said ‘’these suspects will unfailingly have their days in court.” Documents quoting chairman of the EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, which were sighted by The New Diplomat indicate that the anti-graft agency is proceeding ahead with these high-profile cases and investigations as the restrictions occasioned by COVID-19 are being gradually lifted.
Among the high-profile cases being pursued by the EFCC are those of former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, former Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue state, Jonah Jang of Plateau state , Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano state and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state, and Mr Babachir Lawal, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Others are Dr Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide during the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan respectivel,; GMD of NNPC Mr Andrew Yakubu, Senator Adeseye Ogunleye, a former Minister of Works and Air Marshall Adeola Amosu( rtd). Others are the N7.7bn alleged fraud case brought against Chief Kenny Martins for alleged in involvement in police equipment racketeering.
Recall that the anti-graft agency is subjecting Martins to prosecution as coordinator of Police Equipment Fund (PEF), during which he allegedly worked in concert with others to defraud the NPF and the Federal government about N7.7 bn. On his part, former presidential aide, Okupe is facing trial for allegedly using two of his companies, Value Trust Investments and Abrahams Telecoms to allegedly divert about N702m
while Mr Lawal is being prosecuted for illicitly profiting from the proceeds of crime and criminality to the tune of N544, 119, 925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation. This case which was said to have been adjourned to April 10 was however not heard because of the ravaging effects of covid-19.
In the case of Suswan, former Benue State governor, he along with others are facing EFCC inquisition for alleged money laundering and illegal possession of firearms. Suswam and his former Commissioner of Finance in Benue state, Omadachi Oklobia are being asked to account for their deeds involving alleged cases of money laundering. They are accused of diverting proceeds of the sale of Benue State’s Investments as well as SURE-P funds. On his part, former Kano state governor Ibrahim Shekerua along one Bashir Wali and Mansur Ahmad, are enmeshed in charges of conspiracy and money laundering allegedly amounting to about N950 million.
Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, a former aide to former President Jonathan on Domestic Matters is standing trail, over alleged N1.6 billion fraud. Dudafa along with his fellow accused persons were initially arraigned on a 23-count charge of alleged conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6 billion.
On his part, former GMD of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu is facing trail for alleged money laundering, non-disclosure of assets and fraud. Recall that in 2017 operatives of the EFCC had raided his home and a building said to be his and discovered about $9,772,000 and £74,000 cash well stashed in consignments
Ogunleye, a former Minister of Works alongside the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, and Bursar, Mr. Moses Ilesanmi, are being accused of conspiracy, stealing, obtaining money by false pretences and abuse of office in connection with alleged N409 million fraud.
Recall that in the case of former first lady, Mrs Jonathan, the EFCC sometime ago filed a 15-count charge of stealing, diversion of funds and corrupt enrichment against her companies, alongside Dudafa; Amajuoyi Briggs, and one Damola Bolodeoku, a Skye Bank official.
At the weekend, Magu vowed to follow through with all these high-profile cases. He said: “As a commission saddled with the power to rid this country of corruption and bring the culprits to book, we are committed to doing just that to make honest and hardworking Nigerians to have faith in themselves and continue to serve their fatherland patriotically and to show the bad eggs that corruption does not pay,”
