Nigeria’s embattled ex-chief of air staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, has returned N2.3bn to the federal government under a plea bargain that was agreed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Amosu, who was the immediate past head of the Nigerian Air Force, is one of the Nigerians currently being investigated by the EFCC over their role in the infamous $2.1bn Dasukigate scandal. The alleged fund that was allocated for the purchase of military hardware to fight the menace of Boko Haram was controversially diverted by both former civilian and military officials during the final period of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
It was reported that a search on Air Marshal Amosu’s Badagry home by the EFCC uncovered about $140,000 in cash hidden in a soakaway. In addition, several houses belonging to Air Marshal Amosu worth over N500m had been seized by the EFCC.
Amosu was reported to have issued two bank drafts to the federal government as part of the funds allegedly diverted by his office as chief of air staff. EFCC sources have confirmed receipt of the payments, although it is not yet certain what kind of deal has been struck.
One EFCC source revealed: “I can confirm to you that Amosu has returned N2.3bn. He raised two bank drafts, one draft was N2bn while the second was N300m.”
In the course of their investigations, the EFCC recovered N381m from Air Marshal Amosu’s wife, Omolara in three tranches of N180m, N101m and N100m. Apparently, the money was traced from the account of the Nigeria Air Force to the bank accounts of a company in which Mrs Amosu’s is a director.
It is believed that so far, the EFCC had recovered at least N4bn from Air Marshal Amosu in cash and assets. He and over 10 senior officers are being probed in relation to the 10 contracts of the Nigerian Air Force (Naf), said to be worth $930,500,690.00.
Amosu and Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who was his predecessor, were arrested in January for litany of crimes that were perppetuatued during their time in office: the non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act. Although Air Marshal Amosu was granted bail, Air Chief Marshal Badeh was charged to court where he is currently facing trial.
One EFCC said: “Amosu has been cooperating with us and has been returning funds. However, Badeh was very stubborn and since he refused to return funds, we took him to court.”
The EFCC has been able to trace 17 accounts that belonged to Air Chief Marshal Badeh and has frozen all of them.
According to former director of finance and accounts at the NAF, Air Commodore Salisu Yushau, who is an EFCC witness, revealed before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that all past air chiefs diverted N558.2m monthly from funds meant for the payment of salaries.
