Arms Deal: EFCC Apprehends Amosu’s Wife, Recovers $1M In Soakaway Pit

Mrs. Lara Amosu, wife of the former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), has been apprehended by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with respect to the ongoing investigation into the $2.1 billion arms procurement fund.

 

Lara’s arrest came fortnight after her husband was whisked away by the anti-graft agency over his involvement in the diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms. It was believed that she was arrested after the sum of N3 billion was traced to her bank accounts – money believed to be part of the sum her husband is being probed for.

It was learnt that her lawyer has been battling without success to get her released. New Telegraph reports that other properties traced to the former CAS were also being held by his wife and children.

A reliable source reported that the EFCC discovered N17.5 billion in the accounts of wives of three airforce chiefs. The monies were scattered in various banks accounts.

“Shortly after Amosu was picked up in Abuja, his wife, Lara, was subsequently arrested. Investigations conducted showed that some of the monies the former Chief of Air Staff made through some contracts and procurements in NAF were traced to his wife’s accounts.

“About N3 billion was traced to the wife’s accounts while some assets acquired by the former service chief was in her name and some others in her company’s name.
“So, Lara is an accessory to a crime. The proceeds with her are from the arms funds. As we prosecute her husband, she must also be held accountable,” the source said.

It was gathered that the EFCC retrieved $1 million cash from Amosu’s residence in Badagary, Lagos. The money, in foreign currency, was retrieved when EFCC operatives carried out a search on Amosu’s residence in Badagry.

The source said: “In continuation of the investigation into the arms probe, the EFCC operatives took Amosu to his residence in Badagry. After a thorough search of the residence, a fresh small ‘soakaway’ pit was discovered in the compound. The operatives suspected foul play, which informed the breaking of the ‘soakaway’. Surprisingly, $1 million was found in it. The money was subsequently confiscated.”