How EFCC recovered N2.4bn from former Cheif of Air Staff

An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tosin Owobo,  on Tuesday, revealed how the commission recovered N2.4 billion and $115,000 from former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Owobo who said this before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos revealed further that Amosu returned N2.4b through bank drafts at the agency’s Lagos and Abuja offices.

Owobo said his team also 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.

They were accused of diverting about N21 billion NAF funds, charges which they pleaded not guilty to.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that an initial plea bargain talks with the EFCC and the defendants broke down after the defendants reportedly refunded some money to the Federal Government.

However, at Tuesday’s proceedings, the Prosecution Counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo during the examination in chief enquired whether the EFCC had recovered anything from the N21 billion allegedly stolen by the defendants.

Owobo, therefore, answered in the affirmative.

He told the court that money, cars and landed property were seized from the defendants.

“About N100m was recovered from the third defendant Air Commodore Gbadebo.

“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,” he said.

Owobo listed the recovered vehicles to include a bulletproof Lexus LX 570, a bulletproof Landcruiser Sports Utility Vehicle and a Toyota Avalon.

“Various landed property and buildings were recovered from the second defendant.”

Justice Idris thereafter adjourned the matter till April 18 continuation of trial.