Ikeja, Lagos – In a significant victory for Nigeria’s fight against corruption, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja today sentenced Mamman Nasir Ali, son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Ahmadu Ali, to 14 years in prison for his involvement in a N2.2 billion fuel subsidy fraud.
Ali was convicted alongside his co-conspirator, Christian Taylor, and their company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited. The duo faced an amended 57-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, forgery, and using falsified documents, after new evidence emerged in the protracted case.
Justice Dada’s ruling marks a crucial milestone in the nation’s ongoing campaign to curb rampant corruption within the critical oil subsidy program.
The court heard how Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, along with their company, orchestrated a brazen scheme to defraud the Federal Government. In one instance, on November 9, 2011, they falsely claimed a subsidy of N749,991,273.36 for the purported importation of 10,031,986 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). This sum, the prosecution proved, was claimed under false pretenses, with no actual importation taking place.
Another egregious act of fraud, detailed in the charges, saw the marketers swindle the government of N1,480,074,125.61 on April 11, 2011, by claiming subsidy on a massive 20,492,982.50 litres of PMS. Investigations revealed these claims were made through shell companies based in the British Virgin Islands, highlighting the elaborate nature of their deceptive operations.
The trial, led by Prosecutor Seiduh Atteh, meticulously presented compelling evidence, including witness testimonies and various documents, which established that the subsidies were claimed without the necessary importation. Justice Dada, in delivering her judgment, underscored the severity of their actions, describing them as “not only a serious breach of trust, but an assault on the integrity of Nigeria’s oil subsidy programme.”
Beyond the lengthy prison terms, Justice Dada ordered the forfeiture of all assets and bank accounts linked to the fraudulent transactions, sending a strong signal against ill-gotten wealth.
Furthermore, arrest warrants have been issued for two other suspects implicated in the fraud, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul-Afeez, who remain at large. Their apprehension is now a priority as authorities continue to pursue all individuals involved in this extensive fraud.
The conviction of Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law in the fight against economic crimes, regardless of their connections. It is expected to further bolster public confidence in the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice and sanitizing the nation’s vital economic sectors.
