NIGERIA'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ALLEGED TO HAVE GIVEN ARMS MONEY TO OTHERS

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION

Reports have it that a source within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is alleging that a former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George each got N100 million from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd.) for the prosecution of the last presidential election on March 28, 2015. It is also alleged that the money was sourced from funds that was meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian military for its battle against the insurgency by the Islamist terror group, Boko Haram.

There is a panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the loss of over $2 billion supposed to be expended on the purchase of arms and the Department of State Services (DSS), the EFCC and other Nigerian law enforcement agencies have in recent times arrested twenty one persons in connection with the controversial arms purchase. These include a former senior staff of the office of the National Security Adviser, Attahiru Bafarawa, a former state governor and Raymond Dokpesi, owner of African Independent Television (AIT) network, all on suspicion of money laundering.

The former NSA, Mr. Dasuki, who initially denied any knowledge of the missing funds is said to have changed his position when he was faced with the statement of his former director of finance, Shuaibu Salisu who is reported to have mentioned those involved to the investigators. Mr. Dasuki has since been handed over by the DSS to the EFCC and its agents have begun questioning him in connection with the allegedly diversion of funds meant for arms purchase into the 2015 election campaign.

It is alleged that the AIT proprietor, Mr. Dokpesi, now on bail, has stated that he got funds from the former NSA to do publicity for the election campaigns while former governor, Mr. Bafarawa, has stated that he received N4.6 billion from Mr. Dasuki for spiritual purposes. Sources believe that Mr. Odili and Mr. George may be invited to explain their receipt of N100 million each from the funds meant for arms purchase.

The EFCC still has in its custody Shuaibu Salisu, Abba MT Usman, Sagir Attahiru, Evegny Kundaev, Aminu Baba Kusa, Salisu Usman Garu, Bashir Yuguda, Attahiru Bafarawa while investigations are ongoing.