EFCC arraigns NAMA boss over alleged N2.8b theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N2.8 billion.

He was charged along with Nnamdi Udoh (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Investment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd before Justice Babs Kuewumi on 21 counts charge.

The EFCC said on August 19, 2013, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975.00 to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd under the pretence that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3).

The prosecution said the defendants conspired to deliver various amounts to Delosa Limited on different dates under the pretence that they were payment for clearing NAMA’s consignment.

Between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N191,616,651.56 belonging to NAMA to themselves.

They allegedly converted N728,870,158 between 2013 and 2015, among others.

Count 13 reads: “That you, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Investment Ltd And Multeng Travels And Tours Ltd between the 1st day of January and the 30th day of December, 2015 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N336,803,308 property of NAMA, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts and the trial judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi, adjourned until April 12, 2016 for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.