The National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno
(retd.), has set up an investigative committee on the
procurement of hardware and ammunition in the Armed Forces
from 2007 till now. This action was taken in obedience to an
order by President Muhammadu Buhari that all arms’
procurement deals since 2007 should be investigated.
The late President Umar Yar’Adua was in charge from 2007 to
2010 while former President Goodluck Jonathan presided over
the affairs of the country between 2010 and 2015.
According to a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser to
the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the
President directed the NSA to set up the committee with the
mandate of identifying irregularities and making
recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in
the Armed Forces.
Adesina said based on the presidential directive, the NSA had
constituted the committee, which has AVM J.O.N. Ode (retd.) as
President. Other members of the committee are R/Adm. J.A.
Aikhomu (retd.); R/Adm. E. Ogbor (retd.); Brig.Gen. L.
Adekagun (retd.); Brig. Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (retd.); Brig. Gen.
N. Rimtip (retd.); Cdre. T.D. Ikoli; Air Cdre. U. Mohammed
(retd.); Air Cdre. I. Shafi’i; Col. A.A. Ariyibi; Group Capt. C.A.
Oriaku (retd.); and Brig. Gen. Y.I. Shalangwa – Secretary. Mr. I.
Magu is representing the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission on the committee.
Adesina explained that the establishment of the committee was
in keeping with Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption
and irregularities in the nation’s public service.
“It (the committee) comes against the background of the myriad
of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the
course of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the
North- East, including the apparent deficit in military platforms
with its attendant negative effects of troops’ morale.
“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-
adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and
the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms
procurement under past administrations, which, very often
resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable
equipment,” he added.
It will be recalled that budget defence and procurement of arms
under the Jonathan administration generated controversies.
Highest budgetary allocations were given to the Defence
Ministry under the administration. For example, in 2014, out of a
total budget of N4.962tn, defence got 20 per cent (N968.27bn).
The administration was criticised for not accounting for a $1bn
loan the National Assembly approved for it last year for arms
procurement to fight Boko Haram
Also, the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting
Authority of South Africa had in September 2014, confiscated the
$15m meant for the purchase of arms by the Federal
Government in two separate tranches of $9.3m and $5.7m.
The first tranche of $9.3m cash was found stashed in three suit
cases by two Nigerians and an Israeli at Lanseria Airport, north
of Johannesburg in September, 2014 while the second amount
was seized three weeks after.
The news of the first transaction sparked anger after it emerged
that the private jet involved belonged to the President of the
Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor.
Oritsejafor, a close ally of former President Goodluck Jonathan,
said the plane had been leased to a third party and he could not
be blamed for its schedules.
The FG later admitted it was behind the arms deal, claiming it
acted out of desperation for arms to defeat the Boko Haram
sect.
Meanwhile, the Presiding Bishop, The Sword of the Spirit
Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has called on President
Buhari to ensure that people found guilty of corruption in the
country are jailed to prove to the whole world that Nigeria is
serious in the fight against corruption.
Oke, who addressed journalists in Ibadan on Monday, also
announced that the church’s annual convention would
commence on August 30, 2015, where prayers would be offered
for Nigeria as it tackled corruption, economic and security
challenges.
