Usman Jibrin, a former Chief of Naval Staff and retired vice admiral; Ishaya Gamgum Bauka, a retired brigadier general; and Adam Imam Yusuf, a retired deputy commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State charged for money laundering have grossly defied the warrant of arrest issued against them by court.
On May 4, 2024, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the three high-profile retired military officers over the money laundering charges filed against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC had filed the money laundering charges against them after the agency conducted an investigation based on a whistleblower’s petition.
Despite the arrest warrant, the accused top retired military officers have continued to evade arrest and failed to appear in court to face trial, raising concerns about their apparent disregard for the law.
The ICPC has been unable to arrest the suspects, citing their “hiding” as the main reason for the lack of progress in the case.
The anti-graft agency initially launched an investigation following a whistleblower’s complaint, which alleged that Jibrin, Bauka, and Yusuf were involved in diverting public funds into companies where they had financial interests, The ICIR reports.
The suspects were granted administrative bail during the investigation due to their positions as public figures but later failed to cooperate with the court process.
The investigation into the alleged money laundering activities revealed that Jibrin, Yusuf, and Bauka had used their positions to amass illicit wealth, transferring funds through companies they controlled, such as Lahab Integrated & Multi-Services Ltd, Gate Coast Properties International Ltd, and Ummays Hummayd Energy Ltd.
Jibrin, who served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2014 to 2015, was charged with 10 counts of money laundering. Bauka and Yusuf were each charged with two counts.
Four companies were implicated in the scheme, which is believed to have been a significant operation to launder funds through fraudulent means.
The ICPC’s investigation, which began with a whistleblower’s report dated December 11, 2020, uncovered evidence that implicated the three men in several illicit financial transactions.
The whistleblower’s petition detailed how Jibrin allegedly used Yusuf and Bauka as fronts for his money laundering activities, involving companies both within and outside Nigeria.
The petition also highlighted the acquisition of numerous assets, including properties in Dubai and other locations, as well as luxury vehicles linked to Yusuf.
The ICPC gathered documents showing that these transactions were part of a larger money laundering syndicate.
The investigation revealed that Jibrin had impersonated his wife, Lami Idum, to open bank accounts in her name for the benefit of companies he controlled, including Lahab Integrated & Multi-Services Ltd.
For example, bank statements indicated that Jibrin received deposits totaling millions of naira, which were linked to fraudulent activities.
Similar findings emerged for Yusuf, who allegedly used illicit funds to acquire luxury cars and properties.
Bauka was also found to have acquired assets using money from suspected criminal activities, further entrenching the conspiracy.
Documents presented by the ICPC revealed that Yusuf had received large sums of money into his bank accounts, with deposits totalling hundreds of millions of naira.
These funds were allegedly funneled into accounts linked to Jibrin and used for the acquisition of properties and assets.
One of the key transactions involved a payment for two properties in Guzape, Abuja, which Bauka claimed was made through a third-party company.
However, the investigation uncovered that Yusuf had played a central role in facilitating these financial maneuvers.
Despite the serious nature of the charges and the strong evidence against them, the accused individuals have been uncooperative with authorities.
Several attempts by the ICPC to arrest them have been thwarted by their security details, who have resisted efforts to detain them.
Reports from the ICPC suggest that security personnel employed by Jibrin, Yusuf, and Bauka have actively blocked agents from gaining access to their residences.
In one instance, during an attempt to arrest Jibrin at his Abuja residence, a standoff ensued with his armed security team preventing ICPC officials from entering the premises.
In an interview with The ICIR, Jibrin expressed his frustration with the investigation and accused the media of focusing on trivial matters rather than issues affecting the public.
He refused to address the specific charges against him and threatened the journalist for continuing the inquiry.
Attempts to reach Bauka and Yusuf for comment were unsuccessful, as their phone lines went unanswered, according to The ICIR.
The ICPC has continued its efforts to apprehend the suspects and bring them to trial.
However, their evasion of arrest raises troubling questions about the ability of law enforcement to hold influential figures accountable, especially those who have used their status and security protection to avoid justice.
As of now, the trial of the retired officers remains stalled, and the ICPC is still working to ensure they are brought before the court to face the money laundering charges.