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We recovered N2.4bn, $150m from ex-Air Force chief, Amosu, says witness

A prosecution witness, Mr Tosin Owobo, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that N2.4 billion and 150 million dollars were recovered from the a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Amosu

A prosecution witness, Mr Tosin Owobo, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that N2.4 billion and 150 million dollars were recovered from the a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Owobo was testifying at the resumed trial of Amosu, charged with fraud alongside two other officers of the Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga.

Also charged 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 and Solomon healthcare Ltd.

The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The witness, an investigator with the EFCC, had begun his evidence in December 2017 as the second prosecution witness (pw2).

On Tuesday, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo asked the witness what was the status of the hospital — Solomon Healthcare — (belonging to the first accused) when it was investigated.

In response, the witness told the court that the hospital was being supplied with healthcare equipment.

Oyedepo again asked the witness what was the source of the money used in procuring the equipment to which replied that the installers claimed they were paid through the hospital’s bank account.

He further said that upon investigation, it was discovered that the company’s account was funded by Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd and McAllan Oil and Gas Ltd.

Oyedepo : Have the monies mentioned been recovered ?

Witness : The defendants raised bank drafts through the EFCC Recovered Funds account, the first accused refunded about N2.4 billion and we recovered 150 million dollars from him during our investigation.

About N382 million was refunded by the wife of the first accused and about N100 million was recovered from the third accused.

Oyedepo : Anything else recovered from the accused persons ?

Witness: While searching the residence of the first accused, we recovered a bulletproof Lexus Jeep, a bulletproof Land Cruiser and a Toyota Avalon vehicle; we also recovered various landed properties.

Oyedepo : Did you obtain a court order to seize the properties ?

Witness : The legal team of EFCC had obtained an interim order of forfeiture for all the properties seized.

In his response, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), counsel to the first accused, objected to the evidence given by the witness on the interim order, arguing that same was not contained in the proof of evidence.

Another defence counsel also agreed with Ayorinde’s submission.

The court, however, held that the witness was allowed to give evidence on the document.

Oyedepo asked again: Were the accused persons served with the interim order of the court.

Witness: Yes, they were served through their legal representatives and even personally.

Justice Mohammed Idris consequently adjourned the case until April 18 for continuation of trial.

The accused were arraigned before Justice Idris on June 26, 2016, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

They were charged with conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

Idris granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

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