Jonathan didn’t approve $2.1bn arms deal money for campaigns – Magu

Former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has explained why ex-President GoodluckJonathan was not invited for questioning over the controversial $2.1bn armsdeal. According to Magu, EFCC records showed that the moneyinvolved was “not officially approved for campaign purposes,” based on memosand documents reviewed by investigators. This revelation appears in a book titled From Soldier toStatesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole andlaunched at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The book details the life of the late former president, histime in the military, and his political career. Omole wrote that the handling of the arms funds causedserious tension within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with several partyleaders invited for questioning over alleged diversion of public money. He noted that power struggles within government made someobservers see former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, as a“co-president” alongside Jonathan. “Tensions reportedly simmered between NSA Dasuki and DefenceMinister Aliyu Gusau as procurement authority and other vital functionsgravitated to the NSA, leading some to see Dasuki as a ‘co-president’ alongsideJonathan,” Omole wrote. The book also claims that the investigations unsettled topPDP figures. Former PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, was said to have goneinto hiding, while the then party spokesman, Olisa Metuh, allegedly refused to returnN400m paid to a company linked to him. “By January, former PDP national chairman Adamu Mu’azu waswanted for questioning but was in hiding.Former PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh... said he would ratherstarve than refund it; he was arrested,” Omole stated. Other figures mentioned include former NIMASA boss PatrickAkpobolokemi, who was arrested, jumped bail, and later rearrested. Six PDP zonal chairmen reportedly claimed they did not knowthe source of campaign funds they received. Omole said Magu later clarified that Jonathan was notinvited because investigation documents did not link him directly to campaignapproval. “He (Magu) lamented how well-funded legal defences stallcases, politicians who steal ‘N10bn keep N5bn for litigation,’ hire senioradvocates, and exploit any investigative gaps.” The book adds that many senior PDP members accused the EFCCof witch-hunting as case files continued to pile up. Omole further revealed that President Buhari ordered theEFCC to investigate 17 serving and retired military officers followingrecommendations by the Military Procurement Audit Committee. Several Air Force officers were questioned, including thelate Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who was later charged with money launderingand corruption, including allegations of using N1.4 billion in Air Force fundsto buy a mansion in Abuja. The audit committee’s second report also flagged 21companies for EFCC investigation over questionable contracts linked to the AirForce and the NSA, citing unclear costs and transfers of public funds forunidentified purposes.

Read More