The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, a former Chief of Naval Staff, alongside two other officers, over alleged money laundering amounting to N1.5 billion.
According to reports, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) initiated the charges against them.
During the court session on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the warrant following an exparte motion filed by the ICPC’s counsel, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha.
Akponimisingha asserted that Jibrin, Adam Imam Yusuf, and Brigadier General Ishaya Gangum Bauka, who are the first to third defendants, are under investigation for money laundering and providing false information regarding the diversion of funds from their respective military and paramilitary institutions into purportedly affiliated companies.
Despite being released on administrative bail earlier due to their status as public figures, the defendants have failed to appear for possible arraignment in court.
In light of this, Akponimisingha requested the court to issue a bench warrant against the respondents for their arrest and subsequent arraignment. The case is pending under charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/158/2023.
The charges leveled against them include allegations of unlawful possession of funds, as outlined in the 17-count charge. For instance, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin Oyibe is accused of receiving N22,000,000 deposited into a company account, while Adam Imam Yusuf is alleged to have received N410,000,000 deposited into his personal bank account.
The judge adjourned the matter to June 3, 2024, for further proceedings.