Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi
By: Emma Arubi, Warri
A Chevron Contracting firm, JAD, was charged before the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday, 21/11/2024 for alleged diversion, stealing and misappropriation of Ugborodo Community share from $108 Million Dollars and #37 Billion Naira paid to JAD between September 2016 and August 2024 by Chevron Nigeria Limited for Jack-up Barges (SEWOPS) Contract awarded to Ugborodo Community which JAD Construction Limited executed on behalf of the oil-rich Ugborodo Community in Warri South -West Local Government Council Area of Delta State.
In the Suit with No: FHC/ABJ/CR/466/2024 between the Inspector General of Police as Complainant and Rida Mohammed Jaffal, Benard Agbomiyeri, Radi Sadek and JAD Construction Limited as Defendants respectively, they were slammed with a five – count charge of diversion, misappropriation and stealing of the said sum of monies being proceeds of execution of the SEWOPS Contract awarded to JAD by the NNPC/Chevron Nig. Ltd Joint Venture on behalf of Ugborodo Community stating that the defendants “committed an Offence Contrary to Section 8(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, LFN 2006”, including other relevant Sections of the Advance Fee Fraud Crimes.
According to the amended Charge, the Defendants in concert with others now at large “connived with intent to defraud and obtained the sum of $108, 309,271.38 cents (One Hundred and Eight Million,Three Hundred and Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-One Dollars and Thirty-eight Cents and #37, 332, 203, 354.81(Thirty-seven billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-three million, Two Hundred and Three million, Three Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand, Eighty-One Kobo) respectively.”
Those billed to testify on behalf of Ugborodo Community according to available records include the Ugborodo Community Trust Chairman, Barrister Austin Oboroegbeyi, Secretary, Dr Ayo Ayomike, Benson Babine, Chevron, NNPC, amongst others
When the case was called last Thursday, JAD Construction Limited and Mr Bernard Agbomiyeri were present in Court while the Managing Director and General Manager, Rida Jaffal and Radi Sadek, 1st and 3rd Defendants were absent.
The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice J. O. Abdulmaliki of Federal High Court No.6, Abuja, thereafter adjourned the matter to 28th January, 2025 for arraignment of the four accused persons.
The Charge Sheet dated 20/11/2024 was signed by Faith Rotshang Dimka Esq.
It would be recalled that in 2021 the Ugborodo Community Trust led by the Chairman and Secretary, Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi and Dr. Ayo Ayomike petitioned the Inspector General of Police over JAD Group connivance with some persons to convert and misappropriate Ugborodo Community funds from the Jack-up Barges(SEWOPS) Contract.
