Nigeria - Warrant of arrest for president Yar'Adua's private secretary

September 11th 2009

 

 

London (UK) - The London Metropolitan Police has issued a warrant of arrest for Mr. David Edevbie, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's Principal Private Secretary (PPS). The PPS is easily the most influential aide to the president.

The arrest warrant, issued in London, also has the names of Mr James Ibori, the former governor of Delta State, Henry Imasekha, Ibori's business partner, and Bhadresh Gohil, Ibori's London attorney who has already been arrested in London.

They are to be arraigned at City of Westminster Magistrate Court.

A source told LEADERSHIP last night that the warrant of arrest was in connection with $38 million Virgin Mobile shares acquisition. The alleged money laundering offence involves past officials of both Delta State and Akwa Ibom State.

The president's PPS, along with the others, are being accused of laundering Delta State government funds through the United Kingdom between 1999 and 2007. The charges include:

•Conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law;

•Conspiracy to make false instruments, contrary to section 1 (1A) of the Criminal Law Act 1977;

•Money laundering, contrary to section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; and

•Money laundering, contrary to section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The bail hearing is today, September 10, 2009.

In an unrelated but similar development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will, any time from now, invite the PPS to explain his role in the use of Delta State government-owned Oceanic Bank shares by Ascott Offshore Ltd, a private company that has Henry Imasekha and others listed as shareholders and believed to be owned by Ibori, to secure a huge loan from Intercontinental Bank.

The loan, which now stands at over N44 billion, has been listed by the Central Bank of Nigeria as non-performing.

Edevbie was the commissioner of finance when the Delta State Oceanic Bank shares were used as collateral.

The EFCC believes that, as commissioner of finance then, Edevbie must have approved the transaction.

 

source.Leadership (Nigeria) - NCA