$40 million was paid to Jonathan’s cousin’s company account – Witness

The trial of Azibaola Robert, a cousin to former
President Goodluck Jonathan, began Tuesday, with
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, presenting its first witness, Ibrahim Mahe,
who narrated how he transferred $40 million to
“One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited”, a company
allegedly owned by Mr. Robert.
Mr. Robert and his wife, Stella, are standing trial on
a seven-count charge before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba
of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
They are accused of money laundering, criminal
breach of trust and corruption.
Mr. Mahe, a retired permanent secretary, special
services in the Office of the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, while being led in
evidence by counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told
the court that, he did not know the first and second
defendants (Robert and Stella), but got to know the
third defendant, One Plus Company, through a
transaction.
Narrating how he got to know the company, Mr.
Mahe said that, “on August 20, 2014, the National
Security Adviser endorsed a memo to me which
originated from the Office of the Director of Finance
and Administration of the ONSA detailing the bank
details of one company called ‘One Plus’ and the
purpose for which the company was to be paid a
sum of $40million (forty million US dollars).
“The NSA instructed me to prepare payment and I
prepared the payment mandate for the $40million in
favour of ‘One Plus’ for the signature of the NSA. I
sent it to the NSA, he signed and sent it to back to
me and subsequent action was for me to counter-
sign the mandate and then send it to the Central
Bank of Nigeria for Payment,” Mr. Mahe said.
The witness had earlier told the court that his
responsibilities involved matters that had to do with
the office of the NSA.
He said the Special Services Office’s responsibilities
in relation with the Office of the NSA had to do with
matters relating to finances of the entire
“Intelligence Community” which included the
Department of State Service, National Intelligence
Agency and ONSA.
According to him, permanent secretary, Special
Security Office was responsible for co-ordination of
the annual budget of the members of the Intelligence
Community.
“After formulating the budget, the accountant
general releases the funds of the ‘Intelligence
Community’ through an account that is domiciled
with the Special Security Office from where it is
distributed to the various end users,” Mr. Mahe
further stated.
He told the court that his office served as a
warehouse for funds of the “Intelligence
Community”.
“When funds get into the account, the NSA is
informed of the arrival of the funds and proposal on
the distribution to the various agencies is made to
him. When he approves, the monies are sent to the
end users,” said Mr. Mahe.
The case was adjourned to July 4 and 5.