$40m ‘scam’: Jonathan’s cousin seeks freedom

The family of Azibaola Robert, cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, wants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge him to court or release him “unconditionally”.

EFCC arrested Azibaola,  who is the managing director of Katakar Civil Engineering Company as well as One Plus Holdings Ltd., on March 23 in connection with a $40 million pipelines protection contract awarded to his firm by the office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

Speaking on behalf of the family at a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, Faith Robert condemned the continued detention of his elder brother by the EFCC, “after an Abuja high court had granted him bail on April 7”.

He said the remand order by an Abuja magistrates’ court, which EFCC relied upon to detain Robert, had expired on April 19.

He said it was therefore improper for the EFCC to approach another magistrates’ court in Lagos for another remand order when the Abuja high court had granted bail to the accused.

“The same High Court served a production warrant on EFCC on April 12 after meeting its bail conditions,” he said.

“It is important to note that EFCC, an organisation created by an Act of Parliament, has continued to treat the order from a High Court of competent jurisdiction with contempt.”

Robert urged the EFCC to charge his brother to court, allow him enjoy the bail he received from the Abuja high court, or free him unconditionally.

Earlier in April, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, had dismissed insinuations that the suspect was being witch-hunted due to his connection with Jonathan.

“This is not a witch-hunt. He (Robert) is not Jonathan’s only cousin,” Uwujaren had said.

“The truth of the matter is that they are being held for a $40m contract he received from the ONSA. The mandate for the payment read, ‘Purchase of Tactical Equipment for Special Forces’.

“Two days after their arrest, they were offered bail. The condition was that the sureties must be on the level of civil service directors and a N250m bank guarantee. They must also have landed properties in Abuja and provide tax evidence of two years. But they could not meet up.
“So, the EFCC went to court for a remand order. They are being held pending the conclusion of investigation.”