From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
DETAINED former Air Officer in charge of Tactical Air command, Makurdi, Benue State, Air Vice Marshal, Rufus Ojuawo said he was forced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay N40 million as a condition for his release.
AVM Ojuawo currently in confinement at Niger Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja also alleged that contrary to the claim of the anti-graft agency, he did not willingly submit his Range Rover (SUV) car; the Commission seized it from him.
His averrements are contained in his affidavit in support of his fundamental rights enforcement suit pending before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja division.
The officer who has been in detention since February 7, 2016, was last week produced in court by the anti-corruption agency following an order of the court.
Justice Ademola gave the order after counsel to the detained Air Chief; R.N. Ojabo moved an application for the enforcement of his [Ojuawo] fundamental human rights.
His appearance was ordered by the court to enable it know which of the agency was keeping him since the EFCC denied that the embattled military officer was in its custody, having being released on administrative bail.
Until his arrest on February 7, 2016, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, AVM Ojuawo was the Air Officer Commanding the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi.
He was picked on his way to Stuttgart, Germany, on national assignment, as a member of the Armed Forces delegation to the United States African Command (USAFRICOM), where he was scheduled to deliver a keynote address on issues bordering on the speedy conclusion of the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
Since his arrest, according to his lawyer, he has been confined on the instructions of the EFCC.
He accused the EFCC of distorting facts as the Nigerian Air Force never conducted any investigation on him in which it was discovered that he was “busy signing delivery notes for one of its contractors, Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nig. Ltd represented by Mr. Hima” as claimed.
He explained that Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nig. Ltd is not a contractor of the NAF, but a contractor with the National Security Adviser (NSA), and that he did not sign delivery notes for the company.