From James Ojo, and Godwin Tsa, Abuja
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Mr. Azibaola Robert, said to be a cousin and close confidant of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in connection with money meant for procurement of arms to fight Boko Haram which was diverted.
Robert was linked with Katakar Civil Engineering Company and Oneplus Holding, two companies among the over 300 companies and individuals indicted by a presidential panel that probed contracts awarded by the office of National Security Adviser (NSA), headed by retired Col. Sambo Dasuki .
The panel, in its submission, indicted over 300 persons and firms and also recovered over N7 billion as disclosed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, .
Also held, by EFCC, is Dakoru Atukpa, the Executive Director of Projects, Katakar Civil Engineering Company.
Both Azibola Roberts and Dakoru Atukpa had been guests of the anti-graft agency as they were picked up on March 23, 2016 and had since remained in custody.
But lawyer to the detainee, Gordy Uche (SAN), yesterday, accused the commission of embarking on a vendetta mission against Jonathan, since the Federal Government, according to him, was “still owing his client $4 million, being balance of the contract sum for successfully securing oil pipelines which saw Nigeria reap billions of US dollars from increased oil production…”
He challenged the commission to either charge his clients to court or release them on bail, while blaming the office of the National Security Adviser of shirking on its responsibilities.
In a related development, Dasuki’s trial alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of Finance and Administration in the office of the NSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former general manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited will now commence on May 3.
Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, in a statement said the case before Justice Hussein Baba- Yusuf of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, met a brickwall yesterday when Joseph Daudu (SAN), the lead counsel to Dasuki, sought a long adjournment to enable his client prepare for his trial.
The four are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000, 000, 00
The trial had been stalled at the last sitting due to the absence of the first defendant and his counsel.
The matter was adjourned to May 3 for commencement of trial.
Also, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the Federal Government to allow Dasuki access to his lawyer during working hours to enable him defend himself in the charged brought against him by government.
Justice Hussein Baba- Yusuf gave the order following the application by Dasuki’s lead counsel, Mr. Joesph Daudu (SAN), that they had no access to him.