Military officers linked with scam lose positions

The officers in question are currently being detained at a military facility in Abuja, according to The Nation.

“All the serving military officers have lost their command positions. In fact, irrespective of their status (whether guilty or not), fairness demands that they should step aside until their trial is concluded,” a military source said.

“This is a standard military practice, which we have already adhered to. There is no way they can still be holding these sensitive military positions,” the source added.

A source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said further that the officers would either be tried in court or by a military tribunal depending on the offence committed.

“Investigation is still ongoing in respect of the past and serving military officers referred to this commission. I cannot say exactly when their trial will begin but investigation has reached appreciable level,” the source said.

“I think the weight of their offences and the sensitive nature of infractions will determine whether or not they will be arraigned before the military tribunal or a civil court.

“For instance, one of the suspects is from the Intelligence Unit. It will be challenging subjecting such an officer to an open trial in a law court,” the source added.

According to The Nation, Some of the officers involved are: AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi; AVM J.B. Adigun (Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in the Nigerian Air Force); AVM T Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings) and Col. N. Ashinze (Designated Military attaché to Nigerian Embassy in Germany).