Alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy scandal: EFCC presents key witness in Mamman Ali case
In a riveting courtroom drama unfolding at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) thrusts another pivotal figure into the limelight, unveiling damning evidence against Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor.
The duo stands accused of orchestrating a staggering N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud scheme, sending shockwaves through the corridors of power and the petroleum industry.
The stage was set on Monday, March 25, 2024, as the EFCC paraded Popoola Olayiwola, a staffer from the Debt Management Office (DMO), as its latest prosecution witness.
Olayiwola’s testimony provided a gripping narrative into the intricate web of deception allegedly woven by Mamman Ali and Christian Taylor, along with Nasaman Oil Services Limited, their co-defendant.
The charges, meticulously outlined in an amended 49-count indictment, spanned a litany of offenses including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery, and the use of false documents.
The prosecution’s case rested on a compelling argument that the accused had willfully misrepresented facts to siphon exorbitant sums from the Federal Government under the guise of oil subsidy claims.
Olayiwola’s testimony peeled back the layers of the elaborate scheme, detailing his pivotal role in issuing Sovereign Debt Notes (SDNs) purportedly linked to legitimate subsidy claims.
As an Operations Officer at the DMO, he recounted his involvement in preparing and processing SDNs, shedding light on the protocol for issuance, redemption, and reconciliation with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Crucially, Olayiwola identified Nasaman Oil Services Limited as a beneficiary of multiple SDNs, underscoring their active participation in the subsidy programme.
Exhibits presented in court, including SDNs bearing serial numbers and corresponding amounts, provided damning evidence of the alleged fraud. Olayiwola’s revelation that Christian Taylor had collected these SDNs further strengthened the prosecution’s case.
The courtroom saga took a dramatic turn as the defendants, Mamman Ali and Christian Taylor, maintained their innocence, pleading “not guilty” to all charges. This defiant stance only intensified the legal showdown that has captivated the nation’s attention.
The case, originally slated before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, encountered a seismic shift with his withdrawal, leading to its reassignment to Justice Mojisola Dada. With the spotlight firmly fixed on the unfolding trial, expectations mount as the legal battle unfolds, promising further revelations and potential ramifications for the accused and the wider landscape of corporate accountability.
As the nation awaits the next chapter in this gripping saga, one thing remains certain: the pursuit of justice in the face of alleged corruption stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law and safeguard public trust.
The wheels of justice continue to turn, casting a spotlight on those who seek to exploit the corridors of power for personal gain.
