A cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan is in fresh trouble for alleged security threat.
Armed soldiers yesterday sealed off the construction site of Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited owned by Azibaola Robert for sharing a boundary with the Lungui Barracks of the Nigerian Army on the Kubwa/Asokoro Expressway, Abuja.
Azibaola, his wife, Stella and their firm are currently on trial over alleged payment of $40million into the bank account of one of their companies, One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The EFCC has traced the source of the $40million to a bank in London.
The cash was allegedly wired through Citibank N. A. Canada Square Canary, Wharf London E 145 LB into the account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited.
The $40million came from the account of the Special Services Office of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
It was gathered that the Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited site was allocated to Azibaola by the last administration.
The company is providing engineering infrastructure for the Maitama Extension District in Abuja.
A top military source said: “The truth is that the site was actually annexed from the land belonging to the Nigerian Army in violation of the FCT Master Plan.
“Lungi Barracks is just part of plans for military use of the land. Despite the fact that it is a military zone, the land was allocated to some bigwigs including Azibaola’s company (Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited).
“If you ask the management of the construction company, they will tell you that there had been issues on the site from the onset.
“For political reasons, the Jonathan administration approved that the site be converted from military use to other purposes.
“If you go to the site, you will see that it has grave security implications for Lungi Barracks. Each time there is a blast, it affects the military.
“The incessant blasting of rocks had forced soldiers to mobilise many times as if enemies were around.”
It was not clear on whose instruction the soldiers took over the site at press time.
One of the site workers, Mr. Maxwell Udom, alleged that no eviction notice was served on Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited.
Udom said:”We closed from work yesterday (Friday) peacefully. We came to work on Saturday to continue with our previous job only to see that the site had been invaded by armed military men.
“Their leader refused to explain what brought them here. He only warned us not to come close to the gate in our interest. We have no option than to obey the order. As I speak, we are confused on what led to this action.”
The Public Affairs Manager of Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited! Mr. Austin Ekeinde, admitted that the site was under soldiers’ siege.
He said: “I can confirm to you that armed military men have suddenly taken over our site in Maitama and we have asked our workers to go back to their respective homes till further notice, while we try to get clarification from the military on their provocative action.
“This action has led to huge losses as even asphalt we cooked overnight for laying this morning has been allowed to cake and waste.”
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