How N2.4bn, $115,000 were recovered from ex- Air chief Amosu- EFCC

An investigation officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rosin Owobo, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos how the anti graft agency recovered N2.4 billion and $115,000 from former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Owobo, who told Justice Mohammed Idris that Amosu returned the N2.4billion via bank drafts at the agency’s Lagos and Abuja offices, also stated that 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.

They were accused of diverting about N21billion belonging to NAF.

But Amosu and other defendants had pleaded not guilty.to the criminal charge.

An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after the defendants reportedly refunded some money to the Federal Government.

At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, lawyer to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, led Owobo in evidence.

When Oyedepo enquired whether the EFCC had recovered anything from the N21 billion allegedly stolen by the defendants, Owobo answered in the affirmative.

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

Owobo said: “About N100m 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.

“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.”

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

He added that: “Various landed property and buildings were recovered from the second defendant.”

The case has been adjourned till April 18.