Ex-Chief of Naval Staff, two officers face arrest over N1.5 billion money laundering allegations

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized the arrest of Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, a former Chief of Naval Staff, along with two other officers, in connection with an alleged money laundering scheme totaling N1.5 billion. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought the trio before the court on charges of fraudulent activities amounting to N1.5 billion.

The arrest warrant was issued following a hearing of a motion exparte, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/158/2023, filed by ICPC counsel Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha. In the motion, the lawyer asserted that Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin Oyibe, Adam Imam Yusuf, and Brigadier General Ishaya Gangum Bauka, the first to third defendants, were under investigation for allegations of money laundering and providing false statements regarding fund diversion from their respective military and paramilitary institutions to companies in which they allegedly held interests.

The lawyer informed the court that despite being released on administrative bail due to their positions as serving and former public officials, the defendants failed to appear for possible arraignment in court.

Consequently, the lawyer requested the court to issue a bench warrant against the first, second, and third respondents—Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin Oyibe, Adam Imam Yusuf, and Brigadier General Ishaya Gamgum Bauka—in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/158/2023, which is currently pending before the court, for the purpose of apprehending and presenting them in court for arraignment and trial.

The accused individuals are listed as the first to sixth defendants in the 17-count charge, which includes 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.