By Dipo Olowookere
A former Chief of Naval Staff, Dele Ezeoba, has forfeited about N1.8 billion to the Federal Government.
The money was said to have been embezzled by the ex-naval chief while he was in charge of the Nigerian Navy between 2012 and 2014.
Mr Ezeoba was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Mr Chukwuka Onwuchekwa and Aquila Leasing Ltd.
At the Federal High Court in Lagos last week, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered the temporary forfeiture of the N1.8 billion, which was allegedly diverted from the coffers of the Nigerian Navy by Mr Ezeoba.
According to the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the money was traced to the account of Aquila Leasing Ltd.
He claimed that the retired naval chief agreed in his statement to the EFCC to forfeit the money to the Federal Government.
Mr Oyedepo pointed out that Mr Ezeoba used the name of Chukwuka Onwuchekwa to open a fraudulent account while laundering the money, though he (Mr Ezeoba) operated it with the consent of Mr Onwuchekwa.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya