Tag Archives: ARMS DEAL

$15bn Arms Deals: Panel Traces Funds To Five Children Of Ex-Army Chief

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The Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP) has traced about N2billion, meant for the purchase of vehicles for the Nigerian Army, to the accounts of five children of a former Chief of Army Staff.

 

The accounts were said to have been frozen as at the time of filing this report.

 

Also, the panel discovered that about 42 units of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) rejected by Iraq were resold to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

 

It said the poor equipment accounted for the loss of lives and soldiers in the North-East.

 

The panel’s findings are contained in a brief which was  obtained by The Nation.

The outcome of the panel’s investigation suggested that the children of the ex-Chief of Army Staff allegedly used two companies for the deal.

 

The panel said: “The committee reviewed the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd, two companies that shared the same registered office, had one name as common controlling shareholder and sole or mandatory signatory to the various banks accounts of the companies.”

 

The committee further established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N2, 000,000,000.00 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

 

Most of the contracts awarded to the companies were also split, awarded on the same date or within a short space of time at costs and mobilization higher than the prescribed thresholds.

 

For instance, on February 13 and 15, the two companies were awarded contracts worth N260, 000.000.00 and N315, 000,000.00 respectively for supplies of various vehicles. The Nigerian Army could not justify the exclusive selection of these vendors against other renowned distributors of same brands of vehicles procured.

 

More seriously, the committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles by the two companies as there were no receipt vouchers, but only unauthenticated delivery notes, invoices and waybills that were purportedly used for the deliveries.

 

Nevertheless, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics, Maj Gen D.D. Kitchener (rtd). The payments were also made without deduction of Withholding Tax (WHT). Furthermore, analyses of the various bank accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals , some of who are believed to be children of the army chief.

 

“Thus, the committee recommends further investigation to determine delivery of the vehicles and relationship of funds beneficiaries with the former COAS and the two companies. Furthermore, the panel said that Lt Gen O. A. Ihejirika (rtd), Maj Gen D. D. Kitchener (rtd), Col A. M. Inuwa and Mr Chinedu Onyekwere should be held accountable for the issues arising out of the contracts.”

 

The panel observed that the award of contracts in the Nigerian Army was fraught with irregularities.

 

It said a company was registered on November 17, 2014 and awarded $125,179,299.10 on the same day.

 

It said: “The Nigerian Army, between April and August 2014, entered into four contract agreements with Societe D’Equipmenteux Internationale  (SEI Nig Ltd)  for procurement of Cobra Armoured Personnel Carriers, Shilka Self-Propelled Artillery Guns, Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) as well as various ammunition and spares funded by the ONSA.”

 

The contracts for the Cobra APCs and Shilka Guns were not executed as they were not funded. However, the costs for procurement of the AFVs; ammunition and spares were $398,550,000.00 and $484,765,000.00 respectively totalling $883,315,000.00.

 

In November 2014, the ONSA awarded contract to Conella Services Limited for procurement of 72 various arms and ammunition that included MRAP vehicles, Mi-17 helicopter at the cost of $125,179,299.10.

 

The committee observed that the company was registered in Nigeria on 17 November, 2014 and awarded the contract on the same date, while the EUC for the procurement was issued a day later on 18 November, 2014. Furthermore, the ONSA paid $36,996,530.00 and N2,209,582,296.00 to the vendor between November 2014 and 15 April, 2015.

 

However, the Nigerian Army denied receipt of any procurement from Conella Services Ltd.

 

Similarly, the committee tried in vain to reach officials of the company to confirm execution of the contract. There is, therefore, the need for further investigation of Conella Services Ltd.

 

The committee observed that SEI and its two associated companies, APC Axial Ltd and HK-Sawki Nig Ltd, were incorporated in May 2014 with two Nigerien brothers, Hima Aboubakar and Ousmane Hima Massy as the only directors.

 

Between May 2014 and March 2015, the ONSA mandated CBN to release various sums totaling $386,954,000.00 to SEI and the two associated companies for ‘procurement of technical equipment’, without tying the money to particular items of procurement.

 

Thus, the allotment of the funds was left at the discretion of the vendor without input or consultation with ONSA or the Nigerian Army.

 

“Furthermore, some of the funds transferred preceded the formalization of SEI contracts with the Nigerian Army. There was also no evidence of any contract to justify the payments made by ONSA to the SEI associate companies. Consequently, it had been difficult for the ONSA, the Nigerian Army and SEI to reconcile the accounts vis-a-vis the equipment delivered.”

 

The panel also uncovered that 42 units of Armoured Personnel Carrier(APC) which were rejected by Iraq were later sold to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

 

It claimed that some of the APCs were either expired or unsuitable leading to loss of lives.

 

It added: “The committee observed that one of the new equipment SEI procured for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine was BTR-4E APC.”

 

However, according to the Ukraine’s state enterprise, Lviv Armour Repair Plant, the designers of the equipment, “some of the products sold to Nigeria in 2014 were actually among 42 units designed for Iraq which subsequently rejected them due to poor performance rating”.

 

The Nigerian Army did not also undertake the mandatory pre-shipment inspections provided for in the contract agreements. Instead, the NA deployed an infantry officer, who lacked the technical knowledge to assess the capabilities and shortcomings of the equipment, to oversee the shipment of the items for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine.

 

Additionally, the two-week training availed the technicians and operators was inadequate for them to comprehend the technical workings of the newly introduced equipment.

 

The committee’s interactions with the field operators revealed that although the platforms and ammunition procured by SEI were deployed for the NE operations, some of them were aged or expired, lacked spares and prone to breakdown without immediate recovery equipment.

“Therefore, failure to carry out pre-shipment inspection and inadequate training resulted in procurement of some unreliable equipment that reduced the capacity of the Nigerian Army in the North East operations and resulted in the loss of lives and equipment.”

 

On some payments to SEI on T-72 Tanks, the panel said the company made about $93,000,000.00 profit without paying the mandatory 5 per cent Withholding Tax(WHT).

 

It said: “SEI submitted a document to the committee reconciling the items it delivered to the Nigerian Army vis-a-vis the payments made to it by ONSA.”

 

According to SEI, the total value of the contracts it executed amounted to $909,065,824.00 and not the  $883,315,000.00 reflected in the two contract agreements it signed with Nigerian Army.

 

Furthermore, SEI claimed that it delivered goods worth $697,718,168.00 whereas only $198,289,672.00 was paid to it by ONSA.

 

Credit: TheNation

Obanikoro Addresses $2.1bn Arms Deal Allegation, Welcomes Extradition Process

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Following the raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the Ikoyi, Lagos, residence of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, last Tuesday, the former minister has dismissed the allegations of his involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal, adding that they were based solely on rumours.

Obanikoro who had earlier responded to the raid by the commission, during which his cars and valuables were carted away by the agency, through his media aide Jonathan Eze, however decided to address the incident himself.

In a series of posts on his Facebook page yesterday, he said the raid by the EFCC was based purely on rumours of his supposed involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal and the National Security Adviser’s imprest account.
He said: “Suggestions of an EFCC investigation have dwelt solely in the realm of rumour, over which I have sued several media organisations.

“The rumour before was that of the $2.7 billion (sic) arms issue, now they say it is NSA imprest account. Let them make the documents public.

“EFCC has never officially made public any investigation of my record in government at any time before this illegal invasion of my house.”

While stressing that the rumours of a plan to extradite him from the United States were lies, he however said he would welcome an extradition process, as it would expose government’s shenanigans.

“Rumours of extradition are also lies. False allegations cannot stand up to any decent legal inquiry in a civilised system such as in the US.

“The allegations are lies, not backed by fact or evidence but a burning desire to obliterate the opposition and keep Nigerians distracted.

“The illegal invasion of my house and @realFFK (Femi Fani Kayode) and several others in detention, gives me no confidence in government’s willingness to do justice,” Obanikoro stated.

He added: “I welcome an extradition process as it will expose the shenanigans going on with their fraudulently fictitious fight against ‘corruption’.

“Since EFCC opted to make this a media trial/circus, let them make public any document linking me or any of my children to any financial scam.”
“I cannot submit myself to such a glaring witch hunt, injustice and charade; but I will fight it legally with God and a clear conscience on my side.”

Condemning the raid on his home during the Ramadam fast, he said: “To put one’s family and dependents through such trauma of illegal invasion, in this holy month of Ramadan is an unfair reward for service.

“I put close to two decades into public service, in opposition and in government, all with an unblemished record and a clear conscience.

“The aim of government is to distract the people from their woes. Such tactics have been tried before, in Nigeria and elsewhere, they failed.

“If hounding Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members will solve Nigeria’s economic woes then we welcome it. This is a rather woeful attempt to distract from those woes.

“If the harassment of PDP members will help government to deliver good governance, many of us would submit ourselves willingly to martyrdom.

“But unfortunately, harassing PDP leaders is not in any way equal to the delivery of good governance, no matter who applauds such illegality.

“The illegal invasion without EFCC invitation, notice of investigation or a court order is also a mockery of the intelligence of Nigerians.

“The illegal invasion and raid is a mockery of justice, an expression of disdain towards the judicial system and a terribly bad precedence
“Such invasion and raid of my house without prior invitation from EFCC to me or any court order towards this, signals a return to despotism.

“Furthermore, no court ordered a raid on my house or seizure of my belongings. Any such move is illegal and will be fought against legally.

“Let me reiterate clearly; I have never received any invitation from EFCC over any issue up till date. This invasion therefore is premature.

“In 16 years of democracy, we thought we had conquered despotism for good in Nigeria but in one year, this government has brought it back.

“The invasion and raid of my residence yesterday (Tuesday) by agents of the state is a sad throwback to a tyrannical past that is better forgotten.”

While addressing Nigerians, he said: “Nigerians must remain steadfast in condemning the nepotism like ethnic divisions and economic illiteracy that have characterised this government.
“Pursuing Obanikoro, hounding (Alison) Madueke, detaining FFK and (Sambo) Dasuki will not distract the people from the failure of government to deliver on its own promises.

“This is a government determined to outdo the abysmal and ignominious economic records of December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985 that ended in shame.

“This is a government that promotes ethnic divisions, distracts from issues, political persecution and official gangsterism from high places.

“I also remain unshaken in my belief that truth will prevail over falsehood, as ever before, no matter how exciting the falsehood may sound.

“I remain confident in my ultimate vindication and urge EFCC to make public any investigation so far conducted without any invitation to me.

“I commit myself, my family, my allies, and my friends into the hands of the Almighty God to whom all of us will give account one day.”

Credit: Thisday

Dasuki Refused To Be Brought To Court – EFCC’s Lawyer

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told Justice Baba Yusuf of a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday that the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), refused to be brought to court for his trial.

 

The EFCC is prosecuting Dasuki and his co-accused ? a former Director of Finance and Administration in the NSA office, Shuaibu Salisu? and a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Babakusa ? on 19 counts of diversion of? N32bn meant for arms procurement.

 

Two companies – Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – belonging to Babakusa are also being accused.

Justice Yusuf had on February 8 fixed Wednesday for trial to begin after dismissing the application by Dasuki, seeking an order prohibiting the EFCC from further prosecuting him on account of his continued detention.

 

However, on Wednesday, Dasuki, who ?had remained in the custody of the Department of State Services since December 29, 2015, was not produced in court.

 

His two lead counsel, Messrs Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Ahmed Raji (SAN), were also absent from court.

But lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, informed the judge that Dasuki refused to be brought to court because the senior lawyers defending him would not be present in court on Wednesday.

“The first defendant said he would not be in court unless he is abducted because his lead counsel, J.B Daudu and Ahmed Raji, were not going to be in court,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said Daudu had informed him of an application for stay of the proceedings of the trial which was filed before the Court of Appeal on behalf of the former NSA.

He maintained that the law never stopped an accused person in detention from facing trial.

He also alleged that Dasuki’s lawyers had deliberately refused to visit their client in the DSS’ custody so that they could continue to use the excuse of lack of access to hom (Dasuki) as an excuse to frustrate the case.

Jacobs said, “When a defendant is in custody, the counsel should be allowed access to the defendant.

“I asked the DSS whether the lawyers ever made attempt to see him, they said they never did. It is a deliberate plant to frustrate the trial.”

Counsel who represented Dasuki in court on Wednesday, Mr. Wale Balogun, however debunked the allegation that his client refused to be brought to court.

He said, “Concerning the allegation, the defence lawyer is not aware of it. The defendant is not in court. He has not been produced. It is the requirment of the law that he should be here. The proecution has not applied for the accused to be excused form court.

“The DSS official should have deposed to an affidavit? to that effect.”

The other defence lawyers, including Mr. Solomon Umoh (SAN), said the matter could not proceed due to Dasuki’s absence.

Justice Yusuf adjourned the case till April 6.

Another ?judge of the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Justice Peter Affen, before whom, Dasuki and others are being prosecuted for alleged diversion of N19bn arms fund had fixed ?April 20 and 22 for trial.

Justice Affend had fixed the date for trial after dismissing another application by Dasuki to stop his trial on account of his continued detention.

Dasuki’s co-accused with respect to the case includes a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.

The other co-accused are, a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, the ex-governor’s son, Sagir Attahiru, and a firm, Dalhatu Investment.

Meanwhile Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja had also fixed April 4 for ruling on similar application filed by Dasuki to stop his trial on four counts of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

 

Credit : Punch

Dauski’s Absence Stalls Trial

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The absence of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser (NSA), on Wednesday stalled his trial at an FCT High Court, Abuja.
Dasuki, Shuaibu Salisu, a former NSA Director of Finance, and ?Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former Executive Director, NNPC were arraigned for diversion of N13.6 billion meant for purchase arms.
The other defendants were Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that Dauski refused to come to the court because his lead counsel would be absent.
Jacobs said that he persuaded him to come but he said, “unless you abduct me, I am not coming’’.
Citing Sections 267(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he said that it was a deliberate effort made by the first defendant and his counsel not to appear in court.
However, Mr Wale Balogun, holding brief for Mr Joseph Dauda (SAN), told the court that it was the duty of the prosecution to produce the first defendant in the court.
He said that the prosecuting counsel did not produce affidavits evidence before the court as for why he could not produce the first defendant.
Olakayode Dada, Mr Solomon Umoh (SAN), Dr Abiodun Layoun (SAN) and Mr Olajide Ayodele counsel for 2nd to fifth defendants, respectively aligned themselves with Balogun’s submission.
Justice Husseni Baba-Yusuf adjourned the till April 6 for continuation.

 

(NAN)

$2.1Billion Arms Deal: Former PDP Chairman’s Trial Begins

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The trial of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Haliru Mohammed, has opened before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

At the commencement of the trial on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), presented it’s first witness, Rouqayya Ibrahim, an analyst in the Forensic Unit of the Agency.

The witness told the court that during their investigation in 2015, the Agency ?discovered documents from the office of the Accountant General – a letter written by the Ministry of Finance to the Central Bank of Nigeria, requesting for the sum of 100 billion Naira with 30 billion Naira specifically earmarked for security issues.

Mrs Ibrahim further said that 300 million Naira, out of the 30 billion Naira, was paid into the account of the office of the National Security Agency and transferred into an account with Sterling Bank, named Bank Project and Property Limited.

She added that the payment of 300 million Naira, was paid in two tranches into the same account on the February 27, 2015.

The witness further revealed that there was a transfer of 50 million Naira, in five tranches of 10 million Naira each to the Abuja Geographical Information Systems for the purpose of mass housing development.

Mrs Ibrahim, however, said that the owner of Bank Project and Properties Limited was arrested and after thorough investigation, he said that the payments were made on behalf of his father, who is the accused.

The trial has been adjourned till February 23.

Credit: ChannelsTv

I’m Not Ready For Trial – Dasuki

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Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, today told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was not ready for his trial to be continued. Speaking at the hearing of the money laundering charges filed against him by the Department of State Security DSS today February 16th, speaking through his Counsel, Joseph Dauda, Dasuki said he will not be available for the trial until the Federal government obey the court orders that granted him bail last year.

Dasuki was re-arrested by the DSS on fresh charges of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms after he had fulfilled bail conditions for separate charges filed against him by EFCC.

Counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Dauda, while presenting his argument to the judge, said “We cannot be ready for trial until the defendant enjoys his constitutional rights.

We apply that we should be given time to prepare the defence. The conduct of the prosecution has not enabled him to enjoy his constitutional rights. The worst is that for about seven weeks we do not know where he is. Any of us here who proceeds to defend an accused person in this circumstance may lose his license of practice.”he said

The judge adjourned the hearing to March 3rd.

Court Refuses To Stop Dasuki’s Trial, Orders Continuation

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Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the Federal capital Territory (FCT) high court, Abuja, has struck out the application of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), to stop his trial.

Dasuki had sought three prayers from the court, ultimately to stop his trial. He predicated his prayers on seven grounds implicit in the violation of his rights to bail by the federal government.

However, Justice Baba-Yusuf held that the central issue to be considered was whether or not the federal government was in contempt of court for failing to release the accused person after he was granted bail. He ruled that the federal government was not in contempt of court because it was a stranger agent, the DSS, that was holding him, and not the EFCC, which is the main prosecution in the case.

He thereafter struck out Dasuki’s application for lacking in merit.

The court had fixed Monday to rule on whether to discharge or to continue the trial of Dasuki for money laundering charges brought against him by the federal government. Justice Baba-Yusuf fixed the date after counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Daodu (SAN), and counsel to the federal government, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had addressed the court on a motion praying the release of the former NSA.

In the motion, Daodu asked the court to stop the federal government from prosecuting him until he was released.

He argued that the federal government could not lawfully prosecute Dasuki because it had been in contempt of the court. He premised his arguments on the fact that Justice Baba-Yusuf had granted Dasuki bail on December 18, and after perfecting the bail conditions, he was rearrested, and taken into custody by the Department of the State Services (DSS).

He claimed that since Dasuki was rearrested on December 29, 2015, he had been kept away from his lawyers and family.

The counsel therefore urged the court to compel the federal government to release the former NSA. He also argued that the government and its agencies had no moral and legal right to prosecute Dasuki since they disobeyed the orders of three high courts, admitting him to bail.

However, in his brief, counsel to the federal government, Jacobs, told the Judge that the motion was an abuse of court process because there was no evidence to show that the accused person was rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He said that it was the DSS, and not the EFCC (the prosecution) that rearrested Dasuki. He advised Dasuki to evoke section 46 of the constitution and institute a civil action to challenge his arrest and enforce his fundamental right to liberty.

– TheCable

$2.1bn Arms Deal: Another Newspaper Refunds N9m

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The Board of Directors of Blueprint Newspapers has refunded the N9m compensation paid to newspaper owners whose copies were seized by security agents during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

The company’s Executive Director,Operations, Salisu Umar, who explained this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, said a GTB bank draft of N9m, had been paid to the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

He said, “The infraction on the rights of some newspapers by some agents of the Federal Government was widely reported in 2014. Specifically, the said agents seized numerous copies of the affected newspapers, including Blueprint. And in line with the dictates of the rule of law, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria and the affected members chose to head to court for redress.

“In its wisdom however, the Federal Government led by the then President Goodluck Jonathan, after a peace parley with the NPAN leadership, agreed to an out-of-court settlement, consequent upon which the affected media organisations, including Blueprint  Newspaper, got N9m each. This decision, to any reasonable mind is very much in order as it simply demonstrated that the Federal Government rightfully admitted its wrongdoing.

“However, in view of the unfolding developments surrounding the arms deal investigation, which supposedly revealed that the restitution was paid from fund set aside for arms deal, the Board of Directors, has refunded same (N9m) via a GTB bank draft No. 04378726, drawn in NPAN’s name, dated February 1, 2016, and forwarded to NPAN Secretariat.

“In the least, this will certainly put to rest some misgivings that have been on over the compensation paid to media owners. May we also add here that more than any other thing, the Board considers this a great sacrifice if that would only uphold the integrity of the media as a member of the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the true watchdog of the society.

“Finally, we shall continue to abide by NPAN’s decision on this and any other matter bordering on its members’ interest.”

Credit: Punch

Arms Deal Probe Tip Of The Iceberg– Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Bureau de Change business has become a scam of recent with the connivance of some Central Bank officials.
“I understand some CBN directors are helping the BDCs through the back door,” adding that this had resulted into a drain on the nation’s economy.

He also noted that the revelation coming out of the arms deal is just a tip of the iceberg saying it is only one aspect in the office of the National Security Adviser.
“We have not come to the NNPC, and the Customs is also there,” he added.
He rejected suggestions that the Central Bank of Nigeria should resume the sale of foreign exchange to Bureaux de Change (BDCs).
The President spoke Wednesday night during a meeting with Nigerians resident in Nairobi, Kenya, according to a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu.
Buhari also said about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration was bogus.
“They just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange,” he said.
The Central Bank recently stopped the sale of foreign currencies to the bureaux when the price of crude oil and the value of the naira dipped to a record low. Buhari said some bank and government officials used surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense by obtaining foreign exchange at official rates and selling it at higher rates.
“We had just 74 of the bureaux in 2005, now they have grown to about 2, 800.
“We will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure. We don’t have the dollars to give to the BDCs.
“Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank”, Buhari was quoted as telling the gathering.

Credit: DailyTrust

EFCC Detains Ex-Chief Of Air Staff Over N29billion Arms Deal

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and detained the immediate past Chief of Air Force, Adesola Amosu.

Mr. Amosu, an air vice marshal, who was retired last year, alongside other military chiefs, is allegedly being detained over allegation of corruption in arms procurement during his tenure. An official of the EFCC confirmed the development.

The official said Mr. Amosu was arrested on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari had recently directed the EFCC to investigate the former air chief and other serving and retired military officers over alleged misconduct established against them.

Among those to be investigated include the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, former Chief of Defence Staff, Marshal Alex Badeh and another former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar.

Mr. Dasuki is currently facing charges over alleged $2.1 billion arms procurement deal.

Credit: PremiumTimes

$2.1bn Arms Deal: Falana Drags Dasuki, Others To ICC

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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the allegation of diversion of the $2.1bn arms funds by a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and some military and public officials.

Falana also called on the ICC to bring to justice those who diverted the funds meant for the empowerment of the country’s security forces.

In a petition dated January 19, 2016, and sent to the Prosecutor of the ICC, Fatou Bensouda, Falana asked the ICC to invite the Federal Government to provide written or oral testimonies at the seat of the court on the stolen funds.

He alleged that the sum of $322m and £5.5m from the money stolen and stashed abroad by the late Gen. Sani Abacha, allegedly transferred to Dasuki by a former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to prosecute the war on terror, had been illegally diverted.

He said it was unfortunate that part of the stolen funds was used to fund the re-election campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.

Falana maintained that those who engaged in the criminal diversion of the security funds should be held liable for the death of about 25,000 people, who were killed by the Boko Haram sect and the over 2,000,000 people, who were displaced by the terrorists.

According to him, the Federal Government needs to fulfil its obligations by cooperating with the ICC to arrest suspected perpetrators of the stolen funds and provide other support to the ICC.

Credit: Punch

Arms Scandal: Osoba Group Disowns Falae Over N100m Donation

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The Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Ogun State has broken its silence over the controversial N100 million allegedly collected by its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae from the former Chairman Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, saying, contrary to Falae’s claims of distributing the money to state chapters of the party, it did not get any money from him.

 
The money was allegedly linked with the $2.1 billion arms fund believed to have been mismanaged by former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

 
Falae had admitted receiving N100 million from Anenih.
The party, which was under the control of former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Olu Agemo and the Secretary, Clement Adeniyi yesterday in Abeokuta, declared that it was never notified of or involved in any negotiation to partner with the PDP or any other party for the purpose of winning the election or maintaining peace during the period as claimed by Falae.

 
According to the party, ”We were never informed by the National Secretariat of our party of the decision to adopt former President Goodluck Jonathan or any other candidate as the party’s presidential candidate.

 
“That, we were never informed of any donation of funds to the party by the PDP or any other party.

 
“That the SDP in Ogun State did not receive any financial or campaign logistics assistance from the national secretariat of our party or any of its principal officers.

 
“That in April 2015 we made our position clear on the sources of our campaign funding through advertisement in the Guardian, Vanguard, Punch and Tribune newspapers of Monday April 20, before the current revelation.

 
“We plead with our members and supporters who have received this untoward revelation with great shock to remain calm and await the convocation of a general meeting where these issues shall be thoroughly discussed and appropriate decisions taken,” the statement read.

“We assure you that the SDP in Ogun will continue to operate within ethical and moral norms as laid out in the principles of Progressive Welfarism established by our progenitor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the struggle to establish an egalitarian, peaceful and equitable nation”, the statement read.

 

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

EFCC Grills Buhari’s Associate Over Alleged Dasuki’s $5m Gift

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Brig.-Gen. Jafaru Isah (retd.), in connection with the ongoing investigation into the $2.1bn arms procurement scam.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest and detention of the former military governor to one of our correspondents in Abuja on the telephone on Thursday.

Isah, a close associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, was the governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in Kano State in 2011.

CPC was founded by Buhari to actualise his bid for the Presidency in the 2011 general elections.

The party asked a son of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Mohammed, to step down for Isah in the party’s governorship contest.

Isah is the first chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress to be arrested by the EFCC since the Buhari administration started investigation into the $2.1bn arms procurement funds under the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He was a member of the Ahmed Joda-led transition committee, constituted by Buhari to coordinate the handing over notes by the immediate past administration before the President was inaugurated on May 29, 2015.

The retired general is also believed to be close to a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Confirming the arrest of Isah, the EFCC spokesman said, “It is true that the man is with us. That is the much I can tell you.”

The EFCC spokesman did not give details of the arrest.

It was, however, gathered that Isah was picked up by operatives of the commission in Abuja on Wednesday night and detained overnight to respond to issues linking him to the $2.1bn arms purchase fund.

It was learnt that the former MILAD’s arrest might not be unconnected with a “$5m gift” he allegedly received from the former NSA.

A top EFCC source, who confided in The PUNCH, said Isah was invited last week, but failed to honour the invitation of the anti-graft agency.

The source added that the commission had begun quizzing the former military administrator on the possibility that the money might have been given to him by Dasuki from the $2.1bn arms fund.

The source added that nothing had been established, saying Isah’s arrest was to “listen to his own side of the story.”

The source added, “He was invited last week, but he did not honour the EFCC’s invitation. He is being quizzed over the $5m he was alleged to have received from the former NSA. The former military administrator was arrested because he did not honour the invitation of the commission.”

The Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had said, during a meeting with online media managers on Wednesday, that more influential Nigerians would soon be arrested.

Magu had debunked the insinuations that the arrests made so far in the ongoing campaign against corruption were selective, targeting the Peoples Democratic Party leaders and leaving their counterparts in the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Arms Scandal: EFCC Arrests APC Chieftain, Jafaru Isa

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday night, arrested a former military Governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Brig-Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa (reted).

 
Isa is the first chieftain of the APC arrested by the EFCC since the beginning of the sweeping probe into the alleged diversion of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase by officials of the immediate-past administration.

 
The erstwhile Military Administrator of Kaduna State from December 1993 to August 1996, during the military regime of General Sani Abacha and one-time governorship candidate of the defunct CPC in Kano State, is a close friend of the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (reted).

 
Isa was arrested at his Abuja residence located at Ajayi Crowther Street, Asokoro.

 
Isa’s house was said to have been invaded by operatives of the EFCC around 9pm, and then whisked him away a few minutes later.

 
The retired brigadier general, was invited last week to appear before the commission on yesterday to clear the air on “some questionable receipts” from the former NSA.

 
Investigators believe the retired soldier received over N100million from Mr. Dasuki.

 
It was gathered that rather than honoring the invitation, sources said, Gen. Isa wrote a letter to the EFCC through his lawyer, seeking a postponement of his appearance date on the grounds of death of a relative.

 
Apparently dissatisfied with his excuse, the EFCC however arrested him to clarify the “questionable receipts”.

 
Details later…

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

Why We Collected N53m From Anenih – Yakasai

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Elder Statesman, Tanko Yakasai Wednesday confirmed that Chief Tony Anenih gave him and 8 other prominent northerners N53 million for for advocacy visit to northern traditional rulers to mobilised their subjects for hitch free 2015 general election.

Yakasai in an exclusive chat with Vanguard said that “yes, myself and 8 others collected N53m from chief Tony Anenih to pay advocacy visit to prominent northern emirs to mobilised their subjects for a hitch free 2015 general elections”.

The former President Shehu Shagari Special Adviser stated that the development followed a request by the PDP stalwart to make available to him list of “9 apolitical but respected individuals from the north”.

He declared that the N53m disbursed to his team by the Benin High Chief catered for the group’s members allowances, transportation and hotels accommodation on a tour that took them to 18 states in the north.

Yakasai who vehemently denied link between the fund and campaigns for former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, listed former minister of state, foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Anka, Barrister Bitrus Gwada and Alhaji Suleiman Lawal as beneficiaries of the money.

Other beneficiaries includes, Dr Bahago, Chief John Macklink from Plateau, and Senator Sodangi.

Yakasai had last week denied ever rrcieving financial patronage from Jonathan administration during a star interview with Vanguard.

The former political aide to second Republic NPN President had in the interview said “I want to make it categorically clear that no officials of the last regime either Mr. Jonathan, his lieutenant, agents, contractors or person having links or relationship with the last administration gave me cash on behalf of that regime for a reason.”

Yakasai, who celebrated his 90th birthday last year disclosed that they visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, the emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and the emir of Gwandu.

The list of other first class chief visited by Yakasai’s team also includes, The emir of Anka, emir of Ilorin, emir of Nassarawa, Minnie, Bauchi, Zuru, Kebbi, Katsina, Dutse, Hadejia and representatives of emir of Daurawa.

Other prominent rulers visited further includes, The Tor Tiv, the Gwom Gbom Jos, Ohimege Igu, Kotonkarfe, Etsu of Abaji, Etsu Nupe and Atta Igala.

Yakasai further revealed that his team were rescued from Gombe while on scheduled visit to the Emir when insurgents attack the city.

The Elder Statesman said “I want to make it abundantly clear that I didn’t received money from Chief Anenih in my private capacity as Tanko Yakasai but to a patriotic individuals who are interested in the peaceful coexistence of the polity”.

Arms Probe: EFCC Detains German Businessman

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a German businessman in connection with the ongoing investigation into the $2.1bn arms procured under the Goodluck Jonathan administration and training of security personnel outside the country.

A top operative of the EFCC, who confided in our correspondent on Tuesday, said the German was arrested because investigation linked him to millions of funds meant for security and arms procurement under the immediate-past administration.

The EFCC operative said the German was arrested on Monday last week in Abuja to make
clarifications on his role in the arms importation saga and other related issues.

He is still being detained by the commission as of the time of filing this report by 4pm on Tuesday.

It was learnt that he was picked up a week after a serving colonel of the Nigerian Army, who served as the Military Assistant to the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), was invited for questioning in relation to the arms deal.

Operatives investigating the involvement of the German were said to have traced his financial transactions to Belarus, a former Soviet republic, which featured prominently as a theatre of training and related security events during the campaign against Boko Haram under Jonathan.

The source added, “There is this foreigner that is being detained by the EFCC over the arms deal controversy. He has spent over a week in the cell. He was picked up on December 28, 2015 and has been in detention since then.

“He is being detained because he was involved in some of the security deals with the military officer, who is being detained as a result of the same arms issue.

“They paid him a huge sum in dollars but he is believed to have spent a fraction of the money on the training (of troops); so, they are grilling him on how to get the remaining amount from him.”

The EFCC had opened investigation into the training of Nigerian Special Forces in the Eastern European country in November, 2015.

The EFCC task force, constituted to investigate arms procurement under the Jonathan administration is probing how millions of dollars meant for the training of the 750 Special Forces in Belarus and other countries in Eastern Europe were spent.

The operatives are of the opinion that huge amount of funds released for the training contract were not spent on the project.

It was gathered that the former NSA and the top hierarchy of the nation’s security structure came up with a policy to train an elite force, comprising well-trained operatives from the various security forces, to combat the Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.

The beneficiaries, drawn from the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Police and the Department of State Services, received training in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, handling of different calibre of firearms and grenades among others.

The beneficiaries, who left the country in September, 2014, and arrived in the country in December, 2014, were immediately deployed in various operational fronts in the North East.

Attempts to get the EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, did not succeed as calls to his mobile telephone did not connect as of the time of sending this report.

Source: Punch

Dasuki’s Lawyer Pleads With Buhari

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Counsel to embattled former National Security Adviser Dasuki Sambo, Ahmed Raji SAN, has appealed to President Buhari to allow his client go and enjoy the bail granted him by an Abuja High court on December 21st last year.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Raji said that he was too small to join words with the president.

“On the isolated case of my client- Sambo Dasuki, I plead with the President to allow him to enjoy his bail. I am too small to join words with the president of the country. I will only plead that he allows him to go on bail. In law, we have judicial review of administrative actions. We don’t have executive review of judicial decisions. That is why I would beg the president to allow all those that have been granted bail to go and enjoy it,” he said.

Dasuki who is standing trial for the misappropriation of $2.1 billion arms deal, was re-arrested immediately he met his bail condition last week.

During the presidential media chat last week Wednesday, president Buhari had suggested that the former NSA will not be released despite fulfilling his bail condition for fear of him running away and not facing the charges brought against him.

$2.1bn Arms Deal: Al-Makura Calls For Maku’s Probe As Supervising Minister Of Defence

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Gov. Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State has called for the probe of the failure of Mr Labaran Maku to rescue the Chibok girls as the supervising Minister of Defence in the last administration.

 

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity ,Alhaji Tukur Ahmed, on Sunday in Lafia .

 

The statement said the probe was necessary in the interest of justice and fairness to the parents and guardians of the 200 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno.

 

According to the governor, the ongoing trial of the accused persons in the embezzlement of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase should not exclude “those who allegedly collected money in the name of securing the release of Chibok girls but never did”.

 

Al-Makura noted that the investigation will go a long in revealing “how Maku, as Information Minister deceived Nigerians on the purported release of the Chibok girls”.

 

“It was alleged that the former Minister also collected several millions of Naira under the guise that they were negotiating for the release of Chibok girls from Boko Haram”, he added.

 

He pointed out that Maku’s recent assurance that he will speak up on the $2.1bn arms deal is a ploy to draw public sympathy.

 

The governor also challenged Maku to explain his role in the Ombatse and Baba Alakyo Saga over the killings of 86 security operatives while he was supervising the federal ministry of defence.

 

The statement commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to defeat Boko Haram, saying the insurgents are in disarray.

 

It called on all Nigerians especially the residents of the North East to support “this patriotic and honest drive to bring lasting peace”.

 

 

 

(NAN)

Metuh Speaks Up On Arms Deal Money

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National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday raised the alarm of an alleged  plot by the Federal Government to implicate him in its ongoing investigation of alleged diversion of $2.1 billion arms purchase into presidential campaign.

Former National Security Adviser (SA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), and others are accused of disbursing the money to some top government officials and companies. They are facing trial presently.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Metuh said he collected money from former President Goodluck Jonathan “to carry out some assignment relating to my office and which he (Jonathan)  duly funded.” He denied any  dealings with the immediate past Federal Government or any of its security apparatus.

Metuh, who refused to take questions from newsmen, did not disclose the amount Jonathan gave him and the nature of the assignment.

Credit: Sun

Dasuki, Others Will Abscond If Granted Bail –EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has opposed the bail applications filed by the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and two others before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where they were on Monday arraigned on 19 counts of misappropriation of about N32bn meant for the purchase of arms.

The prosecution, led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), in separate counter-affidavits to the bail applications, said the accused persons could abscond if granted bail by the court.

Those arraigned along with Dasuki, before Justice Yusuf Baba on Monday, are a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and Aminu Baba-Kusa.

Aminu-Kusa’s two firms – Acacia Holdings Ltd and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – are also part of the accused.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the 19 counts involving the misappropriation of about N32bn when the charges were read to them on Monday.

Baba-Kusa pleaded not guilty for himself and on behalf of his two firms.

Dasuki was represented by his lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), who is also defending him in his trial of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, instituted against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

While Salisu was represented by Mr. A.U. Mustapha, Baba-Kusa was represented by Ms. Umahani Ali.

The judge adjourned till 12pm on Tuesday for the hearing of the accused persons’ bail applications.

In the counter-affidavit, filed by the EFCC against Dasuki’s application, sighted by our correspondent on Monday, the prosecution stated that “the severity of the punishment upon conviction, which awaits the applicant, is an incentive for him to jump bail.”

The prosecution also opposed his bail application on the grounds that as “a former military officer and a former NSA,” Dasuki had the power to influence witnesses and in effect frustrate his trial.

It added that the accused person was still under investigation for more allegations against him and currently facing other criminal charges before the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court.

The accused persons were led away by the EFCC operatives, who produced them in court earlier in the day.

There is also facing another set of charges involving Dasuki, Salisu, a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir Attahiru, and their firm, Dalhatu Investment.

Justice Peter Affe of the same FCT High Court in Maitama, where the case against them was filed, on Monday, granted the EFCC leave to prefer the charges against the accused persons.

The second set of charges involves 22 counts of misappropriation of about N13.651bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram in the North-East.

The accused were said to have misappropriated a total of N13.651bn between August, 2013 and May 7, 2015.

In the 19 charges on which Dasuki and others were arraigned on Monday, the EFCC alleged that a former Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Warimpamowei Dudafa, was on the run for his involvement in the release of N10bn from the NSA office to the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primary delegates.

They were accused of misappropriating about N32bn between January 13, 2013 and April 17, 2015, amounting to an offence of criminal breach of trust against the provisions of Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, and Section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.

They were also charged with dishonest receipt of stolen property in breach of sections 97 and 317 of the Penal Code Act as well as receipt of proceeds of criminal conduct in breach of Section 17(b) of the EFCC Act.

Part of the charges in the first set are, “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa (now at large), whilst being Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to the President, on or about November 27, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N10bn, being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with the CBN, the equivalent of which sum you received from the CBN in foreign currencies to wit: $47m and €5.6m (Euros), committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you claimed to have distributed same to the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Primary Election delegates and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

Arms Purchase Scam: Investigators Trace N650m To Thisday Publisher, Nduka Obaigbena

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The team of investigators at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) looking into how the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) shared funds meant for fighting Boko Haram has detected another line of payment made to companies linked with Thisday publisher and owner of Arise TV, Nduka Obaigbena.

Nduka Obaigbena of ThisDay and Arise TV Ventures Africa

The investigators said Obaigbena received at least N650million from Dasuki for questionable transactions.

They also said that Obaigbena, who is also the Chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors Association
Of Nigeria, has dropped out of sight since the discovery and all attempts at reaching him have failed, EFCC sources said.

Today, SaharaReporters reached Mr. Obaigbena, who said he was in New York.  He said that prior to his trip to New York, he had been at meetings in London, and will return to Nigeria when he is through with his visit to New York.

He admitted that his newspaper company received a letter from the EFCC and that a response had been sent to explain what they know about the case involving Raymond Dokpesi’s Daar Communications. Dokpesi was arrested last week, but he and his family have offered conflicting accounts about why he received billions of Naira from Dasuki.

Obaigbena told SaharaReporters he did not receive any monies from the former NSA, a point strongly disputed by EFCC investigators.

Source: Sahara Reporters

EFCC Secures Court Order To Keep Dokpesi

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, failed to free the Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, after meeting his bail conditions.

 
One of the conditions was for the media mogul to surrender his travel documents to the EFCC and produce two directors in the Federal Civil Service as sureties, a condition he met earlier today, according to his lawyers.

 
His lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, said they were shocked to be told that the agency had secured a holding warrant from a magistrate’s court to keep his client in detention after perfecting his bail conditions.

 

“We got the two sureties today (yesterday) and we were ready to meet all the bail conditions before the EFCC told us they were able to get a holding charge warrant from a magistrate.”

 
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said a magistrate has no powers to issue a holding charge warrant.
He also said neither Chief Dokpesi nor himself had been made aware of any charges yet.

 
“We are yet to know the charges levelled against Chief Dokpesi and he himself has told me that no charges were preferred against him,” he said.

 
Apart from Daar Communications boss, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda and former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, there were many other key suspects detained in EFCC cells in connection with the $2billion arms deal.

 
It was learnt that while some of the suspects such as Shuaibu Salihu, who was Director of Finance in the office of the National Security Adviser and 19 others had been in detention for over a week, Dokpesi, Bafarawa and Yuguda joined the suspects only this week.

 
By law, they are expected to be released or charged to court within 48 hours.

 
Mindful of the position of the law, a top source in the commission told Vanguard last night that the agency might approach a court to seek an order to further detain the high profile suspects.

 
“The aim is to give them time to speak out on why they received huge public funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and what such curious payments were meant for, especially as the recipients are not security men or security contractors,” a source said.

 

Credit : Vanguard

Dasuki Lists Ex-Govs, Ex-Ministers, PDP Chiefs As Accomplices In Arms Deal

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After being arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 2, 2015, the former national security adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has listed some of his accomplices.

 

According to a source who spoke with The Nation, the ex-NSA made some “mind-boggling” revelations on the arms contracts on Tuesday after being arrested.
Former national security adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki makes stunning confessions about accomplices in arms deal scandal

A report by the National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Firearms (NATFORCE) on December 2, said that Dasuki aided Boko Haram in the importation of illegal arms and other ammunition.

 

Describing his confession during interrogation by the EFCC, a source said: “When Dasuki was brought in, he initially refused to write any statement, alleging that he had been subjected to media trial.

 

“I think the ex-NSA decided not to open up based on the advice of his lawyers that he should leave everything for the open court.

 

“The EFCC operatives, however, obliged Dasuki a copy of the statement by a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Shaibu Salisu in which the latter made some implicating statements.

 

“Dasuki, who was shocked by Salisu’s confessions, repeatedly asked: ‘You mean Salisu wrote all these! You mean he said these! Give me a pen and paper’.

 

“Thereafter, Dasuki decided to open a can of worms. He gave a long list of PDP chieftains who collected money from the Office of the NSA.

dasuki (1)

“He mentioned the names of a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, ex-governors and ex-ministers and many others.

 

 

“As I am talking to you, Dasuki is still writing his statement. The disclosures of the ex-Director of Finance in ONSA have assisted greatly in getting to the bottom of the armsgate.

 

“So, the investigation is still on. We will certainly arrest more suspects soon.”

 

The Nation also reports that the EFCC may extend its probe to the seizure of $9 million cash by South Africa and bring everyone involved for questioning as regards the botched deal.

 

Also, the former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, the AIT chairman, Raymond Dokpesi, and the former minister Bashir Yuguda, who have also been linked to the arms deal, were said to be perfecting their bail conditions yesterday.

An EFCC source also revealed that the anti-graft agency was planning to arraign some of the suspects in court to enable them have the over 22 suspects being interrogated in custody as the agency is said to be mindful of a situation in which the high-profile suspects will rush to court to in search of enforcement of their fundamental rights and thereby truncate the investigation.

 

“Our investigators have isolated these areas of probe: Were the funds budgeted for? If not, what informed extra-budgetary expenses? How much was actually voted for arms procurement? How were the funds sourced? Who or which agency awarded all the contracts?

 

“Who were the contractors? Was there any evidence of delivery of equipment? What will make any Minister to run to ONSA for funds?

 

“These are the areas our detectives have been mandated to look at,” the source informed.

 

“Some Bureau de Change operators were accomplices of many of these suspects in custody. We are tracking every transaction.

 

“On daily basis, we will keep on inviting more suspects because the syndicate has a complex networking,” the source added.

 

Dokpesi on his part, has since explained that the N2.1 billion he collected from the former NSA was for a pre-election campaign.

 

Credit : The Nation

Why EFCC Arrested Yuguda, Bafarawa, Ex-PDP Chairman’s Sons, Others Over $2billion Arms Deal

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Former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at about 4pm Monday and was still being questioned as at 9PM alongside other suspects over the controversial arms procurement scandal surrounding former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki

Sources familiar with the ongoing investigation said the former minister allegedly received suspicious payments from the office of Mr. Dasuki, who is being investigated over a $2billion arms deal.

Mr. Yuguda allegedly received N1.5billion from the former NSA’s office through an unnamed company, for unstated purpose.

He also alleged received N1.275billion from Stallion Group during the campaign for the last general election.

Another N775million was also allegedly paid to him from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation for unstated purpose.

All the monies were paid to him between Dec 2014 and May, 2015, our sources said.

Also in custody over the same matter are the sons of Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State and Haliru Bello Mohamed, former minister of defence and ex-national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Sagir Bafarawa, allegedly acting as front for his father, received N4.6billion from the NSA’s office.

Attahiru Bafarawa had recently escaped arrest but the EFCC says the former governor remains on its radar.

The ex-PDP chairman’s son, Abbah Mohammed, on his part got N600milion in the name of Bam Properties Limited.

Also in the custody of the anti-graft agency is Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of finance and administration in the former NSA’s office.

Mr. Salisu, a staff of the National Intelligence Agency, was a joint signatory with Mr. Dasuki to the NSA’s office account and EFCC operatives are accusing him of “supervising some dubious payments”.

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Arrests Former Minister, Others Over Alleged $2billion Arms Deal

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and a number of top officials from the office of the National Security Adviser over the controversial arms procurement scandal surrounding former NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Multiple sources at the EFCC said Mr. Yuguda was arrested Monday afternoon and was currently being quizzed by detectives.

Our sources said a huge amount of money; “running into billions” was allegedly traced to the former minister from funds meant for arms procurement.

“The funds were directly transferred to him from the NSA office and he has been unable to explain the rationale for the transfer,” a source said.

“The transfers were made to his account between December 2014 and May 2015.”

Also arrested over the same matter, according to our sources, are some senior officials at the NSA office, including the director of finance.

“The suspects are being grilled by crack detectives and may not be allowed to go home soon,” one source said.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said he was yet to be briefed on the arrests.

“I’m aware that our detectives are looking into the case but I’m not sure who and who has been taken in,” Mr. Uwujaren said on telephone.

He promised to revert as soon details become available.

Credit: PremiumTimes

“I Did Not Award Any $2 Billion Arms Procurement Contract” – Jonathan

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied claims by former NSA Sambo Dasuki that he awarded a $2 billion arms procurement contract while he was in office. Jonathan stated his position on the controversy surrounding arms procurement investigative panel, while speaking at a forum in Washington DC, yesterday November 19th

“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons. Where did the money come from?” he said

In a statement on Wednesday November 18th, Dasuki alleged that he bought some weapons worth over $2 billion which was approved by the former President. He also dismissed allegations that $59.8 million was stolen just a year before the end of his government

“In Nigeria, if you lose $59.8 million in a year, federal and state governments will not pay salaries. Of course we brought international audit teams, forensic auditors and they didn’t see that,” he said.