Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Ex-Naval Chief

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a former chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and two other officers over a N1.5 billion money laundering charge.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) took  them to court over the allegations.

The court issued the arrest warrant after hearing a motion exparte marked FHC/ABJ/CR/158/2023 and filed by ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha.

In the motion, the lawyer submitted that Usman Jibrin Oyibe, Adam Imam Yusuf, Brigadier General Ishaya Gangum Bauka (first to third defendants), were investigated for allegations of money laundering and making false statement regarding diversion of funds in their respective military and paramilitary institutions, into companies they allegedly had a stake in.

According to him, at the commencement of the investigation into the allegations, the defendants were released on administrative bail self-recognisance because of their status as serving and former public figures but had since refused to show up for possible arraignment in court.

The lawyer prayed the court for a bench warrant against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents (Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin Oyibe, Adam Imam Yusuf, and Brigadier General Ishaya Gamgum Bauka) in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/158/2023 is pending before the court for the purpose of arresting and bringing them to court for their arraignment and trial.

Listed as first to sixth defendants in the 17-count charge are Usman Jibrin Oyibe, Adam Imam Yusuf, Brigadier General Ishaya Gangum Bauka, Lahab integrated & Multi Services Limited, Gate Coast Properties International Limited and Ummays Hummayd Energy Ltd.