$40m money laundering trial: permanent secretary indicts Jonathan’s cousin

The first witness of the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ibrahim Mahe , made startling revelation on Tuesday,  at the trial of Azibaola Robert, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan .

Mahe, a retired permanent secretary, special services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, while being led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that he did not know Azibaola and Stella personally but knew One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, through the transfer of $40m to a company owned by Robert.

The witness said “on August 20, 2014, the National Security Adviser endorsed a memo to me which originated from the Office of the Director of Finance and Administration of the ONSA detailing the bank details of one company called ‘One Plus’ and the purpose for which the company was to be paid a sum of $40m.

“The NSA instructed me to prepare payment and I prepared the payment mandate for the $40m in favour of ‘One Plus’ for the signature of the NSA. I sent it to the NSA, he signed and sent it back to me and subsequent action was for me to counter-sign the mandate and then send it to the Central Bank of Nigeria for Payment.”

Mahe had earlier told the court that his responsibilities involved matters that had to do with the ONSA. He said. “After formulating the budget, the Accountant General releases the funds of the intelligence community through an account that is domiciled with the Special Security Office from where it is distributed to the various end users.

“When funds get into the account, the NSA is informed of the arrival of the funds and proposal on the distribution to the various agencies is made to him. When he approves, the monies are sent to the end users,” Mahe reiterated.

Azibaola and his wife, Stella, are standing trial before Justice Nnamdi O. Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, for seven counts bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption. The judge adjourned the case till July 4 and 5, 2016 for continuation of trial.