Roll call: Ex-defence chief, Badeh, ex-NAF chief, Obanikoro’s sons, 14 others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will this week interrogate at least 16 military officers as part of its investigations into $2.1bn arms scandal.
It was learnt on Saturday that among
those to be quizzed were the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air
Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.) and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal
MD Umar (retd.).
It was also gathered that a former
Director of Production and the Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal O.
T. Oguntoyinbo would be quizzed too.
Another source said that invitations
would be sent to those concerned early in the week and they would be
required to appear before the commission on or before Friday.
Findings showed that the officers were
in the second batch of military officers that would be interrogated by
the anti-graft agency.
It was gathered that the EFCC would
investigate more military personnel recommended for probe by a
presidential panel on arms probe.
A source in the EFCC, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on
condition of anonymity, said, “The commission will begin the second
batch of interrogation of military officers this week. A former Chief of
Defence staff, Badeh, and an-ex Chief of Air Staff, Umar, will appear
before the commission this week.”
The source, who did not give the names
of the other officers, said the former Chief of Defence Staff and Umar
were in the second batch.
He said the commission commenced the
first round of the probe with the questioning of the former Chief of Air
Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), and another Air Commodore
whose house was seized recently by the anti-graft agency in Kaduna last
week.
It was gathered that more high profile
interrogations would take place in the coming week, even though the
source did not give the details of those scheduled to report to the
commission on Monday.
Our correspondent could not get the Head
of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, as calls to
his mobile telephone line could not connect.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on January
15, had ordered the EFCC to investigate 18 serving and retired military
officers, including Amosu, Badeh and Umar.
The EFCC is also investigating 11
serving officers, including Air Marshal A.M. Mamu (Chief of
Administration, Nigeria Air Force); AVM Oguntoyinbo (former Director of
Production, Defence Headquarters); AVM T. Omenyi (Managing Director, NAF
Holdings); and AVM J.B. Adigun (former Chief of Accounts and Budget).
Others are AVM R. A. Ojuawo (Air Force
Tactical Air Command, Markudi); AVM J.A. Kayode-Beckley (Director,
Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); Air
Cdre. A.O. Ogunjobi; Air Cdre G.M.D. Gwani; Air Cdre A.Y. Lassa; Col. N.
Ashinze (Special Assistant to the former NSA, Dasuki;) and Air Cdr.
S.O.Makinde.
Also ordered to be probed are 21 firms
and their directors, including Messrs Societe D’ Equipments
Internationaux; Himma Aboubakar; Aeronautical Engineering and Technical
Services Limited; Messrs Syrius Technologies; Dr Theresa A. Ittu; Sky
Experts Nig Ltd; Omenyi Ifeanyi Tony; Huzee Nig Ltd; GAT Techno Dynamics
Ltd; and Gbujie Peter Obie.
Other firms and individuals are Onuri
Samuel Ugochukw; Spacewebs Interservices Ltd; Oguntoyinbo Tayo;
Oguntoyinbo Funmi; Delfina Oil Geonel Intergrated Services Ltd, Sachi
Felicia; Mudaki Polycarp and Wolfgang Reinl.
Obanikoro’s sons
Meanwhile there are indications the EFCC
may, this week, invite two sons of a former Minister of State for
Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, for interrogation in connection with
the ongoing probe into the $2.1bn arms fund adiversion.
It was gathered on Saturday that the
commission would send invitation to Gbolahan and Babajide Obanikoro and
that they would be required to appear before the EFCC before the end of
the week.
The commission has traced N4.75bn from
the Central Bank of Nigeria Imprest Account of the National Security
Adviser to Silva Mcnamara, a company linked to the Obanikoros, between
June 6, 2014 and December, 12, 2015.
The two sons of the former minister are
said to be on the board of the company, while the third person, Mr.
Ogunseye, was said to be sole signatory to the company’s account with
Diamond Bank.
EFCC sources said the commission is
probing Macnamara because there was no evidence of contract award for
the release of the money to the company’s account.
The N4.75bn was transferred in several
tranches from the CBN to the company’s account between June 6, 2014 and
December, 12, 2015.
The source said, “The investigation into
the N4.75bn is ongoing. It is only logical that these guys are
questioned because of their involvement in the issue.
“They will be invited to appear before
the commission to shed light on the company earned the money without
contract award. Barring last minute changes, they may be summoned this
week.”
Obanikoro’s media aide, Mr. Jonathan Eze, had on Friday denied allegations that the former minister was involved in any fraud.
According to him, the allegations are mere speculations and urged members of the public to treat them as such.
He said, “As far as Senator Obanikoro is
concerned, these are mere allegations that have not been proven and can
never be proved. The former minister insists that his children were
never directors at the company and were never signatories.
“These allegations are the handiwork of
Sahara Reporters and I have taken them to court. Very soon, the truth
will be made known but I urge members of the public not to believe these
allegations. Senator Obanikoro’s children are victims of cheap politics
but the truth will be revealed.”
Obanikoro is currently resident in the
United States where he has registered as a student of History at
Oglethorpe University in Georgia, USA. One of the two sons is said to be
resident in Suwanee, Gwinnett County, in the State of Georgia, US.
Our correspondent could not get the Head
of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, as the calls
to his mobile telephone line did not connect.
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