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Dasuki in company of EFCC Personnels |
Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), has reportedly exposed what the former National Security
Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, bought with his share of the $2.1 billion
arms procurement fund for the Nigerian armed force
The Nation reports that the
anti-graft agency on Tuesday, December 15, arraigned the former NSA before a
federal high court in Abuja, where he is currently undergoing trial.
The Federal Government through an
agent of the EFCC, Hassan Saidu, explained to the court that Dasuki, who is on
trial was involved in various activities that bordered on economic sabotage,
compromise of the nation’s security and endangering the lives of Nigerian
soldiers fighting members of the Boko Haram sect in the Northern part of the
country.
It said EFCC’s investigation had
revealed that the former NSA allegedly diverted huge amount of money earmarked
for the nation’s security, and bought properties in foreign cities like, Dubai
and London.
He warned the court against
granting Dasuki bail on the grounds that he could be attacked by relatives of
ill-equipped soldiers that died in the war against Boko Haram sect due to his
alleged diversion of monies meant for buying arms and ammunition for the
military.
He further revealed that investigation
had been stepped up to locate Dasuki’s other assets in foreign countries and
confirm where the yet to be located stolen funds are kept outside the country.
This stance was contained in a
counter affidavit filed by the anti-graft against the bail application of the
former NSA. It was reported that the affidavit was deposed to by Saidu, who
told the court that he is part of the team investigating Dasuki.
“The offences being alleged
against the defendant/applicant border on economic sabotage that strikes at the
very foundation of Nigeria’s wellbeing and existence.
“The security of the Nigerian
nation was compromised and the lives of innocent Nigerian soldiers in the
battlefront against terrorists were endangered on account of diversion of funds
meant for the security of the nation by the applicant herein.
“It is in the interest of justice
to put the applicant in protective custody so as to protect him from a possible
attack by the relatives of the innocent soldiers who lost their lives due to lack
of adequate equipment and facilities caused by the diversion of the funds meant
for that purpose.
“Apart from the cases that are
pending against the applicant, he is also being investigated in respect of
other criminal allegations. The applicant acquired a large volume of assets
with the proceeds of crimes and my team is currently tracing the assets and, if
released on bail, the applicant will interfere with the asset tracing
activities.
“The applicant transferred huge
sums of monies to various companies, whose identifies we are still trying to
trace. And, if released on bail, the applicant will interfere and frustrate our
investigation. Our investigation also revealed that the applicant transferred
large sums of monies outside Nigeria and he acquired several assets in Dubai
and London with these funds.
“The prosecution is prepared to
prove its case within the shortest possible time if the application is refused
and the court orders accelerated hearing,” Saidu said.
Dasuki, who is being investigated
over the procurement of arms for the armed forces from 2007 to 2015, had on
Monday, December 14, filed for bail after pleading not guilty to the 19-count
charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (
EFCC). The former NSA was accused of using his office to award fabricated arms
contracts, but he has rejected the accusation, saying that the immediate past
president, Goodluck Jonathan approved all the contracts he awarded.
The pitch is shifting to GEJ bit by bit... He said he wasn't aware of all the atrocities that occurred during his tenure but its all glaringly clear that GEJ was the murderer of those young and promising military youths (he wasn't entirely clueless after all). He wasted a generation of fine soldiers. When will GEJ not be invited to vent his side of the story as all fingers point in his direction... Let opposition party scream foul or elephants, 'na dem sabi'. Oga Jona has a case to answer and not a score to settle. All heroic chants about GEJ will fizzle out soon and I hope he won't also be at risk of being attacked by the families of those he sent to untimely graves. All those indicted in the arms deal should simply watch their backs. Karmic law cannot be reversed or revoked 'reap what you sow'. The shout of political vendetta by the opposition is just a distraction with all the obvious evidences. I don't belong to any political party. My standpoint is for Nigeria to progress. 'Leaders of tomorrow' is becoming an extinct cliché. I heard it, my kids are hearing it but not given the chance to prove their mettle. We only see recycled breeds (who are supposed to be behind the scene) running the show with weak bones instead of being mentors, tutors and guides to the vibrant generation... #MyOpinion
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