N600m Arms Scam: EFCC Closes Case Against Atawodi, Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 presented two more witnesses and closed its case against a former Chairman Presidential Implementation on Maritime Safety (PICCOMS), Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi (rtd) and two others who are being prosecuted before Justice U.P Kekemeke of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja for conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

The other accused are Rabiu Hassan and Hypertech Nigeria Limited.

Atawodi allegedly abused his position as chairman PICCOMS to defraud the Nigerian government to the tune of N600million through a dubious contract to procure military boats. He awarded the contract to Hassan’s Hypertech Nigeria Limited. The contractor was fully paid, but the boats were never supplied. The contract award process violated the Procurement Act.

The witnesses, Major General Shay Tan (rtd) a Jew based in Israel and Mailafia Yakubu, who testified as PW4 and PW5 respectively, were led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Victor Ukagwu.

After their testimony, Atawodi’s counsel, Karina Tunyan, SAN, told the court of the defence intention to file a no-case submission relying on Section 302 of the ACJA, 2015.

Thereafter, Justice Kekemeke adjourned to February 28, 2017 for adoption of written address on the no-case submission.

(EFCC)