ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) agents have seized the passport of former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's husband after questioning for several hours yesterday in connection for a $600,000 deposit found in his account.
Former chief of naval staff Rear Admiral Alison Madueke, is now an oil magnate and benefitted immensely from his wife's tenure in office as numerous contracts were handled by his company. As a result, he was invited by the EFCC to answer charges relating to corruption charges and explain the large sum found in his bank account.
After honouring the invitation, Admiral Madueke was released on administrative bail and asked to return to the EFCC at a later date to answer more questions. His lawyer, Oscar Onwudiwe confirmed that his client visited the EFCC and his passport was impounded when he did.
Mr Onwudiwe added: “He honoured an invitation by the EFCC and has left. The EFCC has become something else under this government as they have been empowered and believe the best way to work is to leak stories to the media.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has moved the immediate past chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh to Lagos from Abuja as its investigations into the $2.1bn arms scandal intensify. It is believed that some of Air Marshal Badeh’s properties in Lagos might be searched and seized by the commission as he is suspected of benefitting from the scam.
Air Marshal Badeh, who has been in the custody since February 8, is being questioned in connection with arms contracts totalling $930.5m, which were allegedly awarded under his watch. He also said to be answering questions on 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.
One EFCC source said Air Marshal Badeh’s movement to Lagos was to identify some properties or business that might belong to him. He explained that under the law, the EFCC could invoke the Assets Forfeiture clause to seize the properties of those who allegedly diverted or misappropriated funds meant for arms procurement in line with sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.
In a related development, the EFCC said it had obtained a remand order to keep Col Ojogbane Adegbe, former president Goodluck Jonathan's aide camp in detention pending investigations. According to the EFCC, with the remand order, Col Adegbe could remain in custody for the next 20 days.
Col Adegbe has denied media reports that he said Nigeria would burn if he revealed what happened under the Jonathan administration. According to his lawyer Chief Ogwu Onoja, Col Adegbe said he would sue the newspaper which carried the story which he described as false.
Comments
Post a Comment