Jonathan’s cousin received money from NNPC not Dasuki - Witness

– The first prosecution witness in the trial of a cousin to former president Goodluck Jonathan has said that Robert Azibaola and his wife, Stella received a security contract using their company, OnePlus Holdings Limited

– The witness said the contract was funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and not the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)

Mr & Mrs Azibaola Robert in court

A witness in the ongoing trial of the cousin to the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has debunked claims that the Robert Azibaola received money from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Testifying before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court on Monday, July 4, Ibrahim Male said Robert and his wife Stella Azibaola were awarded a $40 million contract from $600 million special security funds sourced from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Mahe who was cross examined by Chris Uche – counsel to the defendants – said, only the former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki can explain why the Azibaolas Company, OnePlus Holdings Limited, were awarded the $40 million pipeline security contract.

Mahe, a permanent secretary at ONSA told the court he only served 11 months.

The witness had earlier told the court that the Dasuki instructed him to prepare the payment in favour of Azibaola’s company.

He also said the former national security adviser personally endorsed a memo which contained details of OnePlus Holdings account to him.

He also said that several other firms were awarded security contracts in excess of the said amount approved for the Azibaola’s company.

While Mahe could list all the companies who benefited from the $600 million special security fund, he said ONSA operated a naira, dollar and euro security accounts.

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He added: “At least nine officials in the office of the NSA minuted on the payment warrant before OnePlus Holdings was credited with $40 million.”

He further admitted the he effected the payment based on the conviction contract met due process requirements to have been endorsed by nine top ONSA officials.

He said while ONSA does not advertise its security contracts, certain contracts are given codenames for security reasons.

Mahe also told the court he was not part of the bidding process for the procurement if security gadgets. He said his duty remained disbursing funds approved for security contracts while at ONSA.

After his cross examination, Mahe was called out of the witness box.

Uche also prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defense team cross examine the second prosecution witness, Olabode Fanilola.

Justice Dimgba further adjourned the matter to Thursday, Friday, Wednesday, October 6, 7 and 19 for continuation of trial.

The Azibaola’s are facing a seven-count criminal charges slammed on them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission alleged that the duo through their company laundered $40 million which was transferred to OnePlus Holdings Limited account domiciled with Zenith Bank.

The money, the EFCC said paid from ONSA account through Central Bank of Nigeria and was purported for the supply of Tactical Communication Kits for Special Services, an offense contrary to Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.