By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator and witness, Tosin Owobo, on Tuesday, March 27, told a Federal High Court, Lagos how the anti-graft agency recovered sums of N2.4 billion and $115,000 from former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu.
Owobo made the startling revelation while being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo before Justice Mohammed Idris. He added that Amosu returned the said sum of N2.4 billion through bank drafts at the Commission’s Lagos and Abuja offices while his team recovered $115,000 in one of Amosu’s residences.
Amosu is standing trial alongside former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo over alleged diversion of about N22. 8 billion NAF’s funds.
They had all pleaded not guilty.
An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after the defendants reportedly refunded some money running into billions to the Federal Government.
While being led in evidence at the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo asked Owobo (witness) whether the EFCC had recovered anything from the N21 billion allegedly stolen by the accused persons.
The witness answered in the affirmative and futther said that money, cars and landed property were recovered from the accused persons.
Owobo said: “About N100 million was recovered from the third defendant (Air Commodore Gbadebo). Funds were also left over in St Solomon’s UBA account, recovered through the first defendant’s wife (Mrs. Amosu).
“About N383 million was recovered through the first defendant’s wife. The first defendant (Amosu) also refunded two bank drafts of N2.4 billion in our Lagos and Abuja offices. We recovered $115,000 in one of the first defendant’s residences.”
The witness listed the recovered vehicles to include a bulletproof Lexus LX 570, a bulletproof Land cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle and a Toyota Avalon.
“Various landed property and buildings were also recovered from the second defendant”, Owobo further revealed.
The matter was later adjourned till April 18, for continuation of trial.