Former military bosses offer to refund cash they made from non-existent arms purchases....fear of Buhari??

SEVERAL former service chief and military commanders have offered to refund illegally acquired money which they made from arms procurement contracts during the previous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Over recent months, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigating arms procurement deals after it was revealed that President Jonathan released $2bn to be used to purchase hardware to fight Boko Haram.

However, most of this money is believed to have been diverted into private bank accounts, with former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki at the centre of the crisis.

Although Col Dasuki has protested his innocence and has even published details of equipment he bought, it is believed that several generals got rich from the purchases.

There were indications last night that some of these former military chiefs have volunteered to refund some money to the EFCC for jobs undone.

One source close to the EFCC's Special Investigative Committee said: “About four of such former officers have offered to make refunds.

I think Dasuki does not know the extent to which the panel had gone in probing the arms

deals but when the case gets to court, Nigerians will appreciate the depth of the investigation by the panel.”

Under Nigerian law, the EFCC is empowered to seize the assets of Col Sambo Dasuki and any other ex-military chiefs  allegedly involved in the N644bn arms deals.

It can also invoke temporary assets forfeiture clause as part of the ongoing probe of the arms procurement.

Apparently, at least three suspects, including a top Nigerian and two Israelis, have sneaked out of the country to escape arrest.

To avoid arrest, the former service chiefs on their part have offered to return votes meant for failed contracts.

“We have an appreciable list of assets in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt and one of the affected officers built two mansions in Kaduna and Abuja under six months.

A service chief is also being investigated for allegedly acquiring a property of the late first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha," the source added.

It is believed that one of the reasons why the Federal government does not want Col Dasuki to travel out of the country for medical treatment is because he too may abscond like his associates.

Department of State Security officials are said to be unhappy about the fact that three of the suspects have succeeded in slipping through their fingers.

nigerianwatch 

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