Group, Naval Officer Differ On Alleged Abuse Of Office

A group, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate a naval officer, Commodore Gabriel Aligwe for alleged violation of public rules and abuse of office.

This is even as Commodore Aligwe said this is the handiwork of those against him for the recovery his office is currently handling.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on phone, Commodore Aligwe said “what is happening is that we embarked on recovery of some misappropriated assets worth over N40 billion and some of those affected are not happy and maybe behind the article.”

He also said the Nigeria Navy will make a statement to this effect too.

NACAT, had a statement signed by its director of investigation, Oghenedoro Tega in Abuja over the weekend, said Aligwe owns and is running private companies while in service against extant rules.

The group alleged that “NACAT’s investigation revealed that Aligwe and his immediate family members have interest as directors in the companies, “Max-Magins Nigeria Limited – Rc 912887 and Martgab Nigeria Enterprises Limited – Rc 866375; and he did not declare them in his Assets and Liabilities Declaration Forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), in compliance with the law.”

In addition, the group alleged that Aligwe has continuously flouted and breached some provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act Guidelines on Assets Declaration.

NACAT director of information also said “Our investigations revealed that as a result of the numerous complaints while he was in office as managing director, Naval Building and Construction Company Limited, the immediate past chief of naval staff constituted an investigative panel that found commodore Aligwe culpable.

“To date, commodore Aligwe has not been tried. It is therefore unfortunate that despite the alleged and perceived abuse of office, Aligwe perpetrated at the Naval Building and Construction Company Limited while in office as managing director, he is yet to be tried.”

The organisation also said as an NGO with a mandate to fight corruption and various anti-corruption war to our credit,

“It is, therefore, our firm position that it is necessary and expedient to revisit and conclude the pending case against Commodore Aligwe.

“His posting to the Navy Holdings Limited, which is a business entity operated under the companies and Allied Matters Act (not by obeying the last order), should be reconsidered by the Chief of the Naval Staff, otherwise, the Nigerian Navy should prepare for a barrage of lawsuits.”