Azibaola and his co-accused allegedly diverted $40million purportedly meant for supply of Tactical Communication kits for Special Forces which was transferred from the account of the ONSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria to the domiciliary account of their company, One Plus Holdings.

At the resumed sitting Friday, Nkpe told the court that, analysis of documents relating to ‘One Plus Holdings Nigeria Ltd’, showed that the company received the sum of $40million from ONSA.

According to him, investigation was extended to ONSA to ascertain the purpose for which the payment was made. “EFCC wrote to ONSA to avail them with documents regarding the payment mandate and the reply came”, Nkpe said.

According to him, the payment for that particular mandate was for the “Supply of Tactical Communication Kits for Special Forces”.

“We investigated the utilisation of the funds and discovered that the funds were transferred to other companies including Bureau de Change and some of the funds transferred offshore to countries like London and United Arab Emirates”.

Asked if he could recall some of the beneficiaries, Nkpe said that, “there were several of them, but I remember that $6.6 mmillion was transferred to a company called ‘Karahyna’ between October 2014 and April 2015, which was specifically done in eight tranches. I also recall that the sum of $1.5million was transferred to ‘Reya Telecommunication’ which is a company under One Plus Holdings group.

He added that, “Another sum of $1.493 million was transferred to ‘Kakatar El Ltd’ which is also a company under One Plus Holdings; a sum of $2million was transferred to ‘Capitafield Investment Ltd’ and another $330,000 transferred to a company called ‘Teledom’.”

The PW10 told the court that investigation did not find any tactical communication kits procured from that fund. “Most of the companies that received the money did not supply any goods”, he said.

The witness said that, the analysis carried out on the account of the third defendant (One Plus Holdings) on September 9, 2014 showed that the $40m was the only major inflow into the account and from the time of that receipt, all the transactions in the account were outflows, which is the distribution of the said $40m.

He said the credit balance in the account before the transaction was $17,277.50.

Thereafter, documents were presented and admitted as exhibits including: petition from the ONSA to EFCC as exhibit ASO 16 (1&2), Search warrant dated March 23, 2016; two power of attorney as exhibit ASO 18a &18b; Deed of Assignment as exhibit ASO 19a, 19b, 19c; transfer mandate from One Plus Holdings to Zenith Bank as ASO 20 (1-39); the two statement of the first defendant dated March 23 & 24, 2016 marked as exhibit ASO 21a & ASO 21b.

Justice Dimgba, thereafter, adjourned for cross-examination of the prosecution witness.

The post $40m Scam: How Azibaola, Jonathan’s cousin, siphoned funds for supply of tactical communication kits appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Nkpe, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, told the court that in 2015, the Acting Chairman of EFCC received a petition from ONSA which bothered on some individuals and companies that were alleged to have received payment from ONSA without contract or approvals.

While being led in evidence by Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to EFCC, Nkpe told the court that a special team called ‘Special Task Force Team 2’ was set up for special assignment and one of the cases assigned to it was the fall out of Presidential Committee for Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to the time the committee was conveyed.
The witness told the court that their findings revealed that, “one of the companies that received such suspicious payments was ‘Tunji Adeniyi & Co’, which received the sum of N650 million ”.

“We investigated the complainant and invited the beneficial owner of the company, Tunji Adeniyi. In the course of interviewing Mr. Adeniyi, he told us that the said payment was in respect of a property located at Plot 2245 Maitama, No 15, Rio Negro Close Maitama, Abuja, which he was managing” Nkpe said.

He went on: “Investigation revealed that the property was bought in the name of One Plus Holdings Limited. Consequently, we invited the directors of One PLus Holdings and it was at that time, I met the defendants for the first time.”

He further narrated how a search warrant was executed in the office of the defendants. According to him, documents recovered included a file with the title One Plus Holdings containing payment instruction to One Plus Holdings’ US Dollar account in Zenith Bank; two copies of Power of Attorney and 3 copies of Deed of Assignment in relation to Plot 2245 Maitama which all bore the name, Robert Azibaola and one Alhaji Nu’uma Barau Danbatta.

He said the investigating team discovered that those documents were duly executed and signed by the first defendant, Robert Azibaola and one Alhaji Nu’uma Barau Danbatta.

“Also recovered was an acknowledgement of Certificate of Occupancy in relation to the property”, Nkpe added.

When asked what the outcome of their findings was, Nkpe said “our conclusion as investigators is that the property was taken by One Plus Holdings Limited, while payment came from ONSA and we know for sure that One Plus is not part of ONSA”.

Another witness, Emmanuel Effiong Ekuwem, managing director, Teledom International Limited, a broad band infrastructure company, while narrating all he knew about the case said that “On 17th December, 2014, our company’s FCT dealer who lives and works in Abuja at the instance of the dealer (Axxent Consulting & Infrastructure Limited) requested for our ICT goods and asked its forex seller to deposit and transfer into our domiciliary account in Zenith bank Plc a sum of $330,000.

“The dealer called our company to confirm receipt of the payment, transfered from its forex provider (One Plus Holdings Limited)”.

When presented with the statement of account which is already in evidence as ASO 14 (1-19) to confirm transaction of December 17, 2014, Ekuwem said that, “there was a valid inflow into their account on the date, which was narrated as transfer in favour of Teledon International Limited from One Plus Holdings Limited”.

He added that it was at the instance of the dealer (Axxent Consulting & Infrastructure Limited) that the transfer was ordered.

Under cross-examination by Chris Uche, SAN, Ekuwem told the court that it was its dealer (Axxent Consulting & Infrastructure Limited) that got a contract from National Assembly to supply one Unit of VACIS (Vehicle & Cargo Inspection System) and they also sourced the foreign exchange and paid into Teledon’s account.

The case has been adjourned to June 23, 2017 for continuation of trial.
Azibaola and his co-accused were alleged to have diverted $40 million purportedly meant for supply of Tactical Communication kits for Special Forces which was transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, with the Central Bank of Nigeria to the domiciliary account of their company, One Plus Holdings.

The post How Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola used own company to launder ONSA funds – Witness appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Azibaola, his wife, Stella and their firm are currently on trial over alleged payment of $40million into the bank account of one of their companies, One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The EFCC has traced the source of the $40million, which was wired through Citibank N. A. Canada Square Canary, Wharf London E 145 LB into the account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, to a bank in London.

The $40million came from the account of the Special Services Office of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

It was gathered that the Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited site was allocated to Azibaola by the last administration.

The company is providing engineering infrastructure for the Maitama Extension District in Abuja.

The army is uncomfortable with the site sitting so close to the Lungui Barracks.

The army is said to be particularly worried by the blasting of rocks and crushing of granite near the barracks, claiming that terror sect Boko Haram could take advantage of the site to attack the barracks.

Sources said that the administration of ex-President Jonathan ignored the fears raised by the army prior to the allocation of the land to the company and proceeded to give the go ahead following a strong recommendation from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The new official residences of the Senate President and some principal officers of the National Assembly as well as other highly-placed Nigerians are located in the affected Maitama Extension District in Abuja.

The site is being used as a base for the coordination of the provision of services for the owners of plots in the District.

Soldiers who were drafted to the site at about 8pm on Friday, sealed off the site yesterday, preventing workers from entering the construction site.

The soldiers said they were “acting on orders from above.”

A top military source said: “The truth is that the site was actually annexed from the land belonging to the Nigerian Army in violation of the FCT Master Plan.

“Lungi Barracks is just part of plans for military use of the land. Despite the fact that it is a military zone, the land was allocated to some bigwigs including Azibaola’s company (Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited).

“If you ask the management of the construction company, they will tell you that there had been issues on the site from the onset.

“For political reasons, the Jonathan administration approved that the site be converted from military use to other purposes.

“If you go to the site, you will see that it has grave security implications for Lungi Barracks. Each time there is a blast, it affects the military.

“The incessant blasting of rocks had forced soldiers to mobilise many times as if enemies were around.”

It was not clear on whose instruction the soldiers took over the site at press time.

One of the site workers, Maxwell Udom, alleged that no eviction notice was served on Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited.

”We closed from work yesterday (Friday) peacefully. We came to work on Saturday to continue with our previous job only to see that the site had been invaded by armed military men.

“Their leader refused to explain what brought them here. He only warned us not to come close to the gate in our interest. We have no option than to obey the order. As I speak, we are confused on what led to this action.”

The Public Affairs Manager of Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited! Austin Ekeinde, admitted that the site was under soldiers’ siege.

“I can confirm to you that armed military men have suddenly taken over our site in Maitama and we have asked our workers to go back to their respective homes till further notice, while we try to get clarification from the military on their provocative action.

“This action has led to huge losses as even asphalt we cooked overnight for laying this morning has been allowed to cake and waste.”

Follow Us

The post Soldiers take over Jonathan’s cousin’s construction site over alleged security breach appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Robert and his wife, Stella are standing trial on a 7-count charge before Justice Nnamdi O. Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja for money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption.

Mahe, a retired permanent secretary, special services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, while being led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that, he did not know the first and second defendants (Robert and Stella), but got to know the third defendant, One Plus Company through a transaction.

Narrating how he got to know the company, Mahe stated that, “on August 20, 2014, the National Security Adviser endorsed a memo to me which originated from the Office of the Director of Finance and Administration of the ONSA detailing the bank details of one company called ‘One Plus’ and the purpose for which the company was to be paid a sum of $40million.

“The NSA instructed me to prepare payment and I prepared the payment mandate for the $40million in favour of ‘One Plus’ for the signature of the NSA.

“I sent it to the NSA, he signed and sent it back to me and subsequent action was for me to counter-sign the mandate and then send it to the Central Bank of Nigeria for payment”, Mahe said.

He had earlier told the court that his responsibilities involved matters that had to do with the office of the NSA.

He said that the Special Services Office responsibilities in relation with the Office of the NSA has to do with matters relating to finances of the entire “Intelligence Community” which included the Department of State Service, National Intelligence Agency and ONSA.

According to him, permanent secretary, Special Security Office was responsible for co-ordination of the annual budget of the members of the Intelligence Community.

“After formulating the budget, the Accountant General releases the funds of the ‘Intelligence Community’ through an account that is domiciled with the Special Security Office from where it is distributed to the various end users”, Mahe further stated.

He told the court that his office served as a warehouse for funds of the ‘Intelligence Community’ and went further to explain how funds were utilised.

“When funds get into the account, the NSA is informed of the arrival of the funds and proposal on the distribution to the various agencies is made to him. When he approves, the monies are sent to the end users”, said Mahe.

The case has been adjourned to July 4 and 5, 2016 for continuation of trial.

Follow Us

The post Dasuki ordered me to pay $40m into Jonathan’s cousin’s company account, witness tell court appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Azibaola and his wife, Stella, were arraigned alongside their company, One Plus Holding Limited on a seven 7-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The couples were alleged to have diverted $40million purportedly meant for the supply of tactical communication kits for Special Forces.

The money was transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria to the domiciliary account of their company, One Plus Holdings.

The offence is in contravention of Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”

Count one reads:
“That you, Azibaola Robert (M), being the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) and a signatory to the Zenith Bank account of ONE PLUS HOLDINGS. LTD; Mrs. Stella Azibaola Robert, being a director and a signatory to the Zenith Bank account of ONE PLUS HOLDINGS NIG. LTD and Amobi Ogum (M) (now at large) on or about the 8th September, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit; money laundering of the sum of $40 million transferred to the domiciliary account of ONE PLUS HOLDINGS NIG.LTD with Zenith Bank Plc, Account No. 5070365750 from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria upon a transfer mandate Ref. No. 128/S.5LX/139 purporting to be for the supply of Tactical Communication Kits for Special Forces and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against them.

In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Aliyu Yusuf urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the accused in prison custody.

However, Robert’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, told the court that he had a pending application dated May 24, 2016 brought pursuant to Section 36 (5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 seeking for the bail of his client to enable the defence prepare for trial.

Moving the bail application, Uche argued that bail is at the discretion of the court, adding that the offence is bailable.

He went on to inform the court that, the defendant had been in EFCC custody for over two months and the constitution is clear on how long a suspect should be kept before being arraigned.

To this, Uche contended that Robert’s right as a citizen to bail as guaranteed by law had been breached.

The same argument was also canvassed by Stella’s counsel, Gordy Uche, SAN, to seek her bail.

Uche stated that Stella had been on administrative bail granted by the EFCC and has not breached any of the terms.

Responding, counsel to EFCC, Aliyu Yusuf opposed both applications.
He urged the court to refuse the applications considering the severity of the offence which according to him carried a punishment of between 7 to 21 years imprisonment.

On the issue of the detention of the first defendant, Yusuf told the court that at no time did EFCC detain any defendant without a valid court order.

He said that the second defendant who predicated her application for bail on health grounds did not provide any medical report to back it up.

While Justice Dimgba ruled that Stella could continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted her by the EFCC and adjourned to June 8, 2016 for ruling on the bail application of the first defendant.

Follow Us

The post Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola remanded in Kuje prison over $40m scam appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.