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Amosu Diverted NAF’s Funds to Build Diagnostic Centre – EFCC

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Amosu
  • Amosu Diverted NAF’s Funds to Build Diagnostic Centre

An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Tosin Owobo, narrated on Wednesday how the anti-graft agency discovered a multi-million naira diagnostic centre established with funds allegedly looted by a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), from the Nigerian Air Force.

According to Owobo, the diagnostic centre is located in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

The investigator said this at the resumed trial of Amosu and 10 others for an alleged N22.8bn fraud before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Standing trial alongside Amosu are a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun; and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants diverted N22.8bn, belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, using a number of companies.

The said companies were also joined as defendants in the charge.

They 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 Ltd.

The 11 defendants were arraigned before Justice Idris on June 29, 2016 but they pleaded not guilty to the 26 counts pressed against them.

Led in evidence on Wednesday by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo said his team’s investigation led to an account owned by Amosu and his wife in UBA in the name of Solomon Health Care.

“We discovered that is it a hospital and diagnostic centre located in Ikeja owned and operated by Amosu and his wife. Our team also visited the premises at 24, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja in Ikeja when they just started operations.

“Some equipment were just being installed by General Electric such as MRI scanners, X-Ray Machines and other sophisticated medical equipment,” he said.

Owobo, who had earlier testified that Amosu transferred N677m from NAF to Delfina Oil and Gas and others between March 2014 and April 2015, said Solomon Health Care was funded with money transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas.

Owobo said EFCC also had cause to investigate Timsegg Investment, which he said had Gbadebo as director.

“The accounts of Timsegg Investment received direct transfers from NAF accounts. Timsegg had accounts with UBA and FCMB. We wrote the banks, and we analysed their responses and made further discoveries,” Owobo said.

The investigator said Gbadebo transferred N12m from NAF Airmen Subsidy Account; N25m from NAF Airport Operation Account and N20m from NAF account on June 4, 2014.

According to him, N10m was transferred on July 4, 2014; N24m on July 30, 2014, N10m on August 29, 2014; N29m from NAF Jet Account on October 8, 2014; and N24m and N65m on October 8, 2014.

Others are N14m from NAF Operations account on October 31, 2014; N15m from NAF Jet Account on December 2, 2014; N20m from NAF Operations Account on May 5, 2015; N19m from NAF account on May 27, 2015; and N19m from NAF Operations Account on July 3, 2015.

The money, said the witness, were all transferred to Timsegg’s account.

“We discovered that most of the funds were being fixed on term basis. Upon expiration, cash withdrawals were made by Gbadebo. The funds were paid to him as his share from NAF and were for his personal use,” he said.

Owobo said a property on 40A Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, was discovered to belong to Adigun, the second defendant, which he said was acquired with money from Delfina Oil and Gas.

The judge will rule on Thursday (today) on an application by Oyedepo to visit some of the properties allegedly acquired by the defendants which cannot be brought to court as exhibit.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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power project

President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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