Nairametrics| EFCC has claimed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) connived to divert about N3 billion meant for Special Emergency Operations to private accounts. According to Sahara Reporters, the funds were diverted to Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd. and Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, who are also standing trial.
Tosin Owobo, a Deputy Detective Superintendent officer with the EFCC, testified that the former Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu wrote to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) itemizing the need for maritime security and made a proposal for about N4 billion to fund the project.
Subsequently, the erstwhile Director General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemthe released the sum of N3 billion, paid in three trenches of N1 billion each, for the purpose. However, the funds were moved out to private accounts a few days after the payment.
“The money was paid in three installments of one billion [naira] each. We discovered that as this money came in, they were diverted to various oil and gas companies. These accounts were identified from the NAF account statement,” Mr. Owobo said.
The former Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu, the former NAF Chief of Accounts, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and the former NAF Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo were arraigned based on a 29-count charge brought against them by the EFCC.
