The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the arrest of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and two other officers over N1.5 billion money laundering charges instituted against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The bench warrant was approved on Friday by Justice Inyang Ekwo in a motion exparte marked FHC/ABJ/CR/158/2023 and filed by ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha.
In the motion seen by Nairametrics, 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 alleged had a stake in.
According to him, at the commencement of the investigation into the allegations, the defendants were released on administrative bail on self-recognizance because of their status as serving and former public figures and has since refused to show up for possible arraignment in court.
Akponimisingha also stated,
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.
Two of the counts read,
At the resumed sitting, Akponimisingha, while adopting his motion, told the judge to grant it so that the case can commence and conclude.
“Motion exparte for issuance of bench warrant moved; ordered as prayed,” Justice Ekwo ruled.
The judge then adjourned to June 3 for report.
Ekwo added,
“In the case that the defendants are apprehended by the complainant before the adjourned date, the complainant applicant (ICPC) are to inform the court immediately.”