Presidential Arms Audit Panel Nigeria – A 13- man Presidential arms purchase audit Panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to audit arms purchased between 2007 and 2015 has submitted its temporary report, confirming arm purchase within the period under review.
Presidential Arms Audit Panel Nigeria – A presidency source told TheFocus that President Buhari set up and inaugurated the panel to conduct preliminary investigations after it was discovered the the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) diverted N13.2 billion of fund meant for procurement of arms for the Nigeria Military.
The panel, made up of distinguished Nigerians toured military formations across the country to undertaking physical verification of military hardware and equipment either bought or claimed to have been bought during the period under review.
Our source said the interim report of the audit Panel showed that the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan purchased arms and equipment for the military , which were distributed to various military formations across the country particularly the North east geo-political zone for counter insurgency operations.
The panel however discovered absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
According to the arms probe panel, The award letters for the equipment and arms purchase contracts contained misleading delivery dates, suggesting fraudulent intent.
The Presidential Arms Audit Panel Nigeria also revealed that the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterised by irregularities and fraud
The past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki who supervised the arms and equipment purchase is being tried over alleged diversion of the fund meant for procurement of arms. Dasuki was alleged to have transferred huge sums of money to companies whose identities were still being traced.
Upon receipt of the panel’s interim report and the recommendations, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to further investigate the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), former Chiefs of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal MD Umar and Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.
Other are Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal M.D. Umar, AVM A. M. Mamu(the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T.Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters); AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi; AVM J.B. Adigun(former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM JA Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings)four top officers at the Defence Headquarters(DHQ), Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre GMD Gwani; Air Cdre SO Makinde; and Air Cdre AY Lassa.
Confirming the presidential order, the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the president has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army
EFCC has already commence the investigation of the military officers allegedly involved in the arms procurement scandal. EFCC on Sunday, flew the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marsha Adeola Amosu and two other serving senior military officer to Lagos in furtherance of the investigation. TheFocus learnt that EFCC brought them to Lagos as part of the investigation.
The anti graft agency also on Monday invited Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd) to explain his role in the arms purchase under his watch as the Chief of Defense Staff.
Some indicted Army officers has condemned the investigation of EFCC, alleging that they were not allowed to appear before the Presidential arms purchase audit Panel before being referred to the EFCC.
TheFocus findings reveled that Badeh may appear before the EFCC this morning as requested by the commission.
Posted by Hope for Nigeria
