Posted by By GODWIN TSA, Abuja on
The Code of Conduct Tribunal said Vice President Atiku Abubakar is being charged for alleged diversion of $125 million meant for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) using the Trans- International Bank, an offence the tribunal said is contrary to section 13 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap 56, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN).
The Code of Conduct Tribunal said Vice President Atiku Abubakar is being charged for alleged diversion of $125 million meant for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) using the Trans- International Bank, an offence the tribunal said is contrary to section 13 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap 56, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN).
Also to face trial with the Vice President October 10, 2006, is the former Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Hamisu Abubakar and Umar A. Pariya, Personal Assistant to Atiku.
A letter of notice issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal stated that they are being charged with abuse of office contrary to section 12 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under section 23 of the same Act.
According to the notice, Atiku is also accused of directing the Accountant General of the Federation on October 18, 2003, to release the sum of $20 million to the PTDF without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Others charged before the tribunal are the impeached Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Mr. J. Dogo, Cecilia T. Yargwa, Prince P.T. Wallen, Clement Agwul and M.A. Odeh.
The charges against Atiku, according to the notice, are that, "that you, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, being the Vice President of Nigeria failed to declare your assets on or before May 29, 1999, with particular reference to your investment in Global Communication, contrary to section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap 56 LFN, 1990 and punishable under section 23 of the same Act.
"That you, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, being the Vice President of Nigeria falsely declared your assets on or before May, 29, 1999, by not including property at nos. 555 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, which you bought and paid for as office for NDTV in Abuja for which N30 million was paid for by Otunba Oyewole Fasawe who is your agent, from the proceeds of money diverted to Trans-International Bank from the PTDF funds."
The Vice President was also accused of unlawfully "approving the licence for Globacom at below market price of $258 million for $200million, thereby making Nigeria to lose $58 million in the deal."
The notice further accused Atiku of receiving N250 million as bribe from MOFAS Shipping Company owned by Otunba Fasawe. The money was said to have been transferred to a float account in Bank PHB from Trans International Bank.
The former PTDF Executive Secretary is to answer charges of unlawfully receiving a reward of N200 million in form of a loan from Equitorial Trust Bank and trucking contract with Con Oil- both companies owned by Chief Mike Adenuga, an offence contrary to section 12 of the Code of Conduct Bureau.