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Arms deals: EFCC seizes ex-Chief of Army Staff’s N4bn estate

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized an estate, allegedly valued at over N4 billion from a former Chief of Army Staff.

The estate, which has been placed under Interim Asset Forfeiture, was confiscated on account of the ongoing probe of the ex-Army Chief over $2.1 billion arms deals.

Prior to the seizure, the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP) had traced about N2 billion meant for the purchase of vehicles for the Nigerian Army, to the accounts of five children of the former Army chief.

There were indications that the said accounts were yet to be de-frozen at press time.

The Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment, headed by AVM JON Ode, had submitted its third interim report to President Muhammadu Buhari, leading to the shortlisting of the 54 people to be probed.

Apart from two ex-Army Chiefs, others recommended for probe are 16 other retired and serving Army officers, 12 serving and retired public officers and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement of equipment.

According to findings made by our correspondent, the EFCC decided to invoke Interim Asset Forfeiture Clause pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

A search by our correspondent revealed that the estate is sited between Jabi and Life Camp.

When our correspondent visited the site at 11am on Friday, the EFCC’s ‘Keep Off’ sign was already pasted on the estate.

The anti-graft agency also indicated that the estate was “under investigation.”

The estate contains more than 30 duplexes built to taste.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-Army Chief was referred to the EFCC based on the report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment, headed by AVM JON Ode.

“We are still investigating the ex-Army Chief and he will soon be interrogated. But in line with our modus operandi, we have been able to trace his suspicious assets which we have attached under Interim Asset Forfeiture.

“In this case of the ex-Chief of Army Staff, his children and friends were used as fronts for money laundering.

“We have traced many suspicious accounts linked with the ex-Army boss. Most of these accounts have been frozen.

“Some of our operatives have been working on documents in the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) on evidence relating to these scandalous procurement deals.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “The estate under forfeiture is so massive and valued at about N4 billion.”

Section 7 of the EFCC Act says: “The commission has power to (a) cause any investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organisation has committed any offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.

“(b) Cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”

The Presidential Committee had established that the ex-Chief of Army Staff has a case to answer.

The report of the panel said in part: “The Committee further established that between March 2011 and December 2013, two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N2, 000,000,000.00 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

“Most of the contracts awarded to the companies were also split, awarded on the same date or within a short space of time at costs and mobilization higher than the prescribed thresholds.

“For instance, on 15 Feb 13, the 2 companies were awarded contracts worth N260, 000.000.00 and N315, 000,000.00 respectively for supplies of various vehicles. The Nigerian Army could not justify the exclusive selection of these vendors against other renowned distributors of same brands of vehicles procured.

“More seriously, the Committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles by the 2 companies as there were no receipt vouchers but only unauthenticated delivery notes, invoices and waybills that were purportedly used for the deliveries.

“Nevertheless, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics. The payments were also made without deduction of Withholding Tax (WHT). Furthermore, analyses of the various banks accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals.

The report said the individuals were five children of the ex-Chief of Army Staff and one other front.

“Thus, the Committee recommends further investigation to determine delivery of the vehicles and relationship of funds beneficiaries with the former COAS and the two companies,” the report added.

The panel also discovered that “between May 2014 and March 2015, the ONSA mandated CBN to release various sums totaling $386,954,000.00 to three companies for ‘procurement of technical equipment’, without tying the money to particular items of procurement.

“Thus, the allotment of the fund was left at the discretion of the vendor without input or consultation with ONSA or the Nigerian Army.

“Furthermore, some of the funds transferred preceded the formalization of contracts with the Nigerian Army. There was also no evidence of any contract to justify the payments made by ONSA to the companies. Consequently, it had been difficult for the ONSA, the Nigerian Army and the companies to reconcile the accounts vis-a-vis the equipment delivered.”

The panel also discovered that 42 units of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) which were rejected by Iraq were later sold to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

It claimed that some of the APCs were either expired or unsuitable, leading to loss of lives.

It added: “The Committee observed that one of the new equipment procured for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine was BTR-4E APC. However, according to the Ukraine’s State Enterprise Lviv Armour Repair Plant, the designers of the equipment, ‘some of the products sold to Nigeria in 2014 were actually among 42 units designed for Iraq which subsequently rejected them due to poor performance rating.’

“The Nigerian Army did not also undertake the mandatory pre-shipment inspections provided for in the contract agreements. Instead, the NA deployed an Infantry officer, who lacked the technical knowledge to assess the capabilities and shortcomings of the equipment, to oversee the shipment of the items for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine.

“Additionally, the 2 weeks training availed the technicians and operators was inadequate for them to comprehend the technical workings of the newly introduced equipment.

“The Committee’s interactions with the field operators revealed that although the platforms and ammunition procured were deployed for the NE operations, some of them were aged or expired, lacked spares and prone to breakdown without immediate recovery equipment.

“Therefore, failure to carry out pre-shipment inspection and inadequate training resulted in procurement of some unreliable equipment that reduced the capacity of the Nigerian Army in the North East Operations and resulted in the loss of lives and equipment.”

July 1, 2017
EFCC grills ex-Army chief Minimah over arms deals

Gen. defends $1.89b spent on equipment

Lawyers decry Senate’s plot against Magu

FOR hours yesterday, detectives grilled former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah over a multi-billion naira arms procurement during his tenure.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing the over $1,891,809,299.1 deal because, according to sources, it did not follow the public procurement law.

Former Minister of Aviation Senator Stella Oduah is expected to appear before the commission today to answer to petitions against her.

But there were indications last night that the Senate may pass a resolution banning suspects from appearing before EFCC until its Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, steps aside.

Legal experts contacted by The Nation, however, dismissed the Senate’s move, saying resolutions do not have force of law.

To embark on the move, they said, would be an exercise in futility.

According to them, “resolutions are not laws; they are mere advice”.

They added that an agency could not be stopped from doing its job because of the fear of some people.

“What they (senators) are planning to do is unconstitutional. It has no backing in law. They should concentrate on law making and not embark on a witch-hunt,”the lawyers said.

The Senate rejected Magu’s nomination twice based on security reports by the Department of State Service (DSS).

It was learnt that the plot to stop high-profile suspects from reporting to EFCC was hatched before the Senate went on recess last Thursday.

Minimah, it was learnt, was asked questions on the procedure for such contracts in the army.

It was discovered that a company, which was registered on November 17, 2014, got a $125,179,299.10million contract on the same day.

Besides Minimah, 53 others, including another former Chief of Army Staff, 16 other retired and serving Army officers, 12 serving and retired public officers and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the deal would also be quizzed.

Minimah was Chief of Army Staff between January 16, 2014 and July 13, 2015.

Clad in blue jeans and short sleeve shirt, Minimah looked calm and warm after the session at about 4.55pm.

A top source in EFCC said: “The ex-Chief of Army Staff met with our team and responded to some of the issues isolated for him. It is too early to give the details of our interaction with him because we are working on the report of a panel which investigated arms deal in the Armed Forces. When we get to a convenient bend, we will release the details. We need to interact with companies and some people who were recommended for probe too.”

Oduah, a source said, was invited over some petitions bordering on the purchase of two armoured BMW vehicles at N255million by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority during her tenure as aviation minister in 2013 and the N9billion contract for the remodelling of some airports.

“She has a lot of allegations outstanding in the past few years. She had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, asking the court to prohibit the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office, the EFCC, and the police from “inviting, arresting, investigating or prosecuting” her.

“She lost the case on October 6, 2016. But we tarried a while because she was bereaved. Now, it is time to interact with her. Our team will meet with the ex-minister on Wednesday( today).”

Last night, there were strong indications that the Senate might pass a resolution directing Nigerians to shun EFCC’s invitation until Magu vacates office.

It was learnt that Senators are angry that the Executive was relying on Section 181 of the 1999 Constitution to keep Magu in office.

It was also gathered that the Senate may have adopted their strategy following moves by EFCC to investigate some of its members.

A source said: “Upon resumption from recess, the Senate may pass a resolution directing Nigerians, especially high-profile suspects, not to honour EFCC’s invitation until Magu is removed.

“The plot leaked from intelligence findings from a meeting of some Senators who were angry that the leadership had been too tolerant of the Executive on Magu’s case.

“The plan by the EFCC to investigate the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar after the acquittal of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has further buoyed the plot of the upper chamber to stop Magu from being in office.

“Some Senators are worried that the EFCC might move against them bordering on the ongoing probe of London-Paris Club refunds. Some aides of a few Senators have been interrogated by the EFCC.

“If they go ahead with the boycott plan, it may scuttle the anti-corruption war in the country.”

Another source said: “Of course, the lawmakers are not happy about Magu. In fact, some of them are angry that despite his rejection twice, the Federal Government is still keeping him. This is not acceptable and the lawmakers are going to take a drastic decision when they resume from recess.

“ One of the options is to pass a resolution, asking invited persons on corruption allegations not to honour the invitation until Magu is removed”.

June 21, 2017
$2.2b arms deals: Dasuki to call Jonathan as witness

Ex-NSA prefers political solution

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for alleged mismanagement of $2.1billion arms funds, would like former President Goodluck Jonathan to be his witness, it was learnt yesterday.

Dr. Jonathan has faulted the charges against Dasuki, claiming that the ex-NSA could not have stolen about $2.2billion votes for arms. “We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army,” he said in a recent interview at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom.

Speaking with our correspondent, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), the ex-NSA’s counsel, said Dasuki wanted Jonathan to testify in court.

Raji said: “It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice.

“It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.”

Another member of the legal team said: “With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical thing for him to do is to see it through.

“We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it will be bad.”

But, in Raji’s view, a political solution will be better than trial because of the “characters involved”.

He said: “But, frankly speaking, I pray for a political solution to the problem because of the characters involved.

“Both the accused and the government should embrace a political solution to the problem.”

Asked if Dasuki is ready for political solution, he added: “Why not? He is.

”I believe the President is very sincere. He wants to reorganise Nigeria and he deserves the support of all.

“With a political solution, Mr. President will be in good stead to overcome unnecessary distractions in order to succeed.

“I pray that everybody will key into his vision and the economic challenges facing the nation.”

Those point of advising a political solution is that it will not be “tidy” for Dasuki to mention all those who got money from his office. Among them, said a source, are a prominent traditional ruler in the North, who reportedly got N500 million and a former Head of State.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Dasuki’s defence team was banking on Jonathan’s testimony.

The source said: “All is set for the defence of Dasuki, who is still insisting on an open trial to let Nigerians know the beneficiaries of the arms cash.

“One of those who may testify is ex-President Goodluck Jonathan whose remarks in London appeared to be the first phase of the war chest of the ex-NSA.

“You know the ex-NSA said he acted on Jonathan’s instructions in disbursing some of the cash. And from the look of things, the ex-President is now ready to accept responsibility for whatever Dasuki did.

“We believe it has reached a level that Nigerians must know what really happened, how funds were disbursed and who got what.

“This is why a secret trial is not a viable option, with the way things are going.”

The source added: “So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth it.”

It was learnt that a traditional ruler allegedly benefitted from the arms funds to the tune of about N500million.

Another source added: “Dasuki has a list of highly-placed beneficiaries from the arms cash. A particular traditional ruler got about N500million as a gift from the government through the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA). There are many hidden beneficiaries whom Nigerians must know.

“Nigerians will be shocked by some revelations which will come up during the trial. Nothing short of open trial will let Nigerians know the truth. We are ready for this.”

Dasuki had on December 13, 2015 said he disbursed the funds on Jonathan’s instructions.

The ex-NSA said: “I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly indicted and any statement may jeopardise my defence. Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such, I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter.

“That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot remember. The exact amount was delivered at my residence.

“The money was for delegates that attended the nomination convention for the PDP. Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. (Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-I-C) for distribution on the instruction of the President.

“Based on the statement of Director of Finance and Administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually given to them for official use.

“I also noted the statement of Sagir Bafarawa whose company is Dalhatu Investment in which he stated that he received the sum of N4,633,000,000 from the account of the Office of the NSA. I authorised the payment . The money was for vehicles, motorcycles for youth empowerment and women sent to Saudi Arabia. I got the proposal from the President. I do not have the proposal; it should be at the office in the Villa.”

October 31, 2016
N1.2b packed in 65 bags for Obanikoro in dawn airport operation – Witness

• How Fayose took over cash meant for six beneficiaries

Imagine what effort goes into loading 65 bags containing N1.2billion raw cash into a plane.

Revelations coming from a witness in the alleged diversion of that sum by former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State for the prosecution of the 2014 governor election in the state, said it took ten hours, and two aircraft over three flights.

Head of Cash-In-Trust Service of Diamond Bank, Damola Otuyalo, said in a statement of oath to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) that the money was first taken to the Ikeja Airport at dawn in 65 bags before being dispatched to Ekiti State via the Akure airport.

It was also gathered that the cash, which was originally released for six beneficiaries – Santuraki Bello (N200m); Yusuf Bulama (N120m); Chimenum Njoku (N250m); Josiah Moses (N280m); Abubakar Sadiq Zanna (N200m); and Franklin Tolani (N150m)- was diverted to Fayose by Obanikoro under the pretence that the six persons could not be located.

Otuyalo, in his oath, said:”On the N1.2billion, my director, Mr. Premier Oiwoh informed me about the payment on the 10th of June 2014. Cash was gathered together on the 17th of June and was taken to the location where I was told to take it to.

“The location was the private wing of the Lagos Airport and date was on the 17th of June 2014.

“We got to the private wing before 7am in the morning and left the airport at 4pm in the afternoon. The cash was bagged in cash bags totaling about 65 and everything was offloaded from the bullion van.

“What I mean by cash was gathered was that as part of routine of the unit, we normally evacuate branches that have excess cash and either move it to branches with low cash or move it to CBN or swap with other banks.

“The instruction, dated 16th of June 2014 was given to me where six beneficiaries were to be paid.

“The names of the beneficiaries were Santuraki Bello (N200m); Yusuf Bulama (N120m); Chimenum Njoku (N250m); Josiah Moses (N280m); Abubakar Sadiq Zanna (N200m); and Franklin Tolani (N150m).

“The above-named beneficiaries were not available to be paid as I did not see them. I was further directed by Mr. Premier Oiwoh to move the money to the airport where I will be given further instruction on who to pay.

“The cash was moved to the airport through the Cash-In-Transit vendor, Benters Warehouse Limited (BWL). I contacted the vendor, who made the bullion vehicle available for the movement.

“I personally supervised the loading of the money into the bullion van and escorted the money to the airport. I was in my vehicle while the bullion van was also escorted by the police.

“As at the time I left the banking premises, I did not sight the beneficiaries.”

Otuyalo confirmed an earlier report by The Nation that they were disallowed access to the security gate at the reserved wing at the airport.

He, however, said Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of the ex-Minister, cleared them at the airport gate.

The banker added:”When we got to the gate, we were not allowed in as we did not have any pass. However, Gbolahan Obanikoro came, he cleared us and we moved in.

“I identified Gbolahan Obanikoro while my boss, Premier Oiwoh, called me on the phone that Gbolahan was around. He spoke to Gbolahan through my phone and the phone was also handed back to me where it was confirmed that that was the beneficiary to pay the money to.

“Besides this, politicians are really not hidden from the public. So, I was also able to recognise him apart from my boss’s confirmation.

“When we eventually gained entrance into the private wing, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro came in with two armed policemen and a few friends and cash was offloaded into the first aircraft which flew him out of the airport.

“The aircraft later came back and the second batch of money was also offloaded into the aircraft from the bullion van.

“As the second aircraft could not also contain the remaining amount due to the size of the aircraft and weight it can carry.

“I recall that another aircraft was also used to move the final batch of the money from the bullion van.

“The second and third movements were supervised by Gbolahan Obanikoro as his father had left with the first aircraft.

“I got back to my boss, Premier Oiwoh, that the assignment was concluded and he said okay.”

July 31, 2016
$ 15b arms deals’ probe not to kill opposition party, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari would not use the $15 billion arms deal probe to destroy the opposition.

Osinbajo described insinuations about such fears as bad and not true.

But he insisted that anyone involved in sharing the fund will face the law.

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari, according to Osinbajo respects the opposition and regard it as vital to the survival of democracy.

“Therefore, he will like to correct the impression that the war on graft is directed at the opposition. It is not so.

“The security chiefs and the anti-corruption agencies are not investigating campaign funds. It has not yet got to that. What the government is doing is to ensure that money meant for essential services are not diverted into promoting candidates into office.”

He spoke in Abuja when he opened the first annual conference of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), with the theme: Political Parties and Democracy in Nigeria.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Political matters, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, the Vice President regretted that many people want government to keep quiet over the $15 billion arms deal probe.

His words: “This body (IPAC) is important to the survival of our democracy. Without a vibrant opposition, democracy will not grow. You should do everything possible to make sure this democracy is sustained.

“It is a pitiable situation when we have a national emergency as Boko Haram crisis, and money is voted to fight insurgency. Then, such money is diverted. You need to know what our solders were going through. Some of them were going into war with bathroom slippers. Many survived on just Indomie noodles. Those were unacceptable rations in the military. Some went into battle with just 10 bullets. Some went into battle with old equipment.

“Thousands died in the cause of the insurgency and when we got to government, we investigated and found out that $15 billion voted for kitting solders was shared by some people. This is unacceptable in any democracy and this is what we are investigating.”

July 26, 2016
$15b arms deals: Court orders panel members release

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered immediate release of a member of the Presidential Committee on the Procurement of Arms and Equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence Sector, Air Commodore Mohammed Umar.

The committee has been probing alleged $15 billion arms deals in the armed forces.

But Umar was arrested by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) about three weeks ago after $1,030,000 was found at his residence in Maitama District, Abuja.

The DSS has been working on clues that Umar might have taken “advantage of his membership of the Arms Panel” to extort suspects.

Umar insisted that the money was payment to his company, Easy Jet Integrated Service Limited for cargo flights to Houston and Hong Kong .

According to him, the payment was made on May 12 for services rendered by Easy Jet as follows: Cargo flight (Ilyusin II-76 Cargo plane from Nairobi-Houston) at $520,000 and drop off from Nairobi-Hong Kong at $510, 000.

The DSS was however pushing on with its probe of the Air Commodore as at the time of filing this report, a development that forced Umar to seek judicial redress at the Federal High Court to secure his bail.

In a Motion on Notice filed on the July 21, Umar prayed sought for the following reliefs:

*An order of the court admitting him to bail in charge No. FHC/ ABJ/CR/145/ 2016 pending trial and determination of this case.

*And for such order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, after hearing Umar’s counsel Hassan Liman (SAN) with Ibrahim Bawa and prosecution counsel E.A. Orji, granted bail to Umar.

Justice Dimgba said: “Bail is hereby granted to the 1st Defendant/Applicant in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in the sum of N50 million each of which must enter a bail bond for this sum.

“The sureties can be private businessmen or professionals or be in the civil service of thevFederation. And where in the civil service, a surety must be in the rank of a director.

“The sureties must be owners of developed landed properties in any of Abuja metropolis excluding the satellite towns.

“The sureties must provide evidence of their payment of income tax for the past three years.

“The applicant must deposit his international passports with the Registry of this court and must not travel out of the country without the court’s permission.

“The registry of this court shall verify the satisfaction of the above bail conditions and are free to call on the assistance of the prosecution whenever they deem it necessary.

“The case is hereby adjourned to 26th and 27th of October for trial.

Justice Dimgba also berated the DSS for flouting an order of the court to remand Mr. Usman in prison.

July 25, 2016
Arms deals: EFCC raises team to interrogate Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others

Former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.A. Ihejirika and Lt. Gen. KTJ Minimah and 52 others, ordered to be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with arms deals during the Jonathan years, are to be interrogated by a special team.

The team has already been constituted by the anti-graft agency, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Besides, the movement of most of those listed for probe has been restricted to the country.

The interrogation of some of the serving and retired public/military officers may commence as early as Monday, highly placed sources hinted yesterday.

President Muhammadu Buhari gave the nod for the probe following the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment, headed by AVM JON Ode, in its third interim report to the president.

The Nation confirmed that the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu has constituted the special team to handle the interrogation.

A reliable source said: “The presidency referred the report to the EFCC over one week ago. We have been doing a lot of legal and forensic analysis of the findings.

“As I speak with you, the EFCC chairman has raised a special team to interrogate those recommended for probe.

“For concentration, members of the team had been detached from other assignments in their care before this report came.

“Having done preliminary work on the report, we might begin the interrogation of some of the key suspects as from Monday.”

The special team is expected to “work in collaboration with other security agencies.”

“Apart from putting some of those affected in detention, the movement of some of the serving and retired public/military officers has been restricted to the country; and most of them are now under surveillance by security agencies,” the source added.

Besides the ex-Army Chiefs, others recommended for probe are 16 other retired and serving Army officers, 12 serving and retired public officers and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement of equipment.

They include a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (II), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and three former permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Mr. E.O, Oyemomi.

The CEOs to be investigated include Col. Olu Bamgbose (rtd.) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd.

Meanwhile, the outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, has commended the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Magu for the vigour he has brought to the fight against corruption in the country.

He said the best part of his time in Nigeria was strengthening cooperation with law enforcement agencies, especially the EFCC.

Entwistle made the commendation when Magu visited him.

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, quoted Entwistle in a statement as saying: “It is in our interest to see Nigerian law enforcement capacity grow… It is not enough to complain about things.

“We have to help our friends I am proud of the EFCC and privileged to be of some help.”

He expressed delight that the President had already asked the National Assembly to confirm the appointment of the EFCC Chairman and wished him well.

The EFCC Chairman said the purpose of the visit was to wish the departing envoy fare well.

He said he had enjoyed close working relationship with the United States government during the tenure of Entwistle.

He said it was significant that the envoy was leaving at a time the Commission is having its best relationship with the US.

Magu thanked the envoy for his support and cooperation.

“Even when you leave, do not forget us. Continue to be our ambassador,” he pleaded.

He also urged Ambassador Entwistle to continue to monitor his performance as chairman of the EFCC.

He assured the Ambassador that “having come this far, I will never compromise my integrity in the fight against corruption.”

July 16, 2016
$15b arms deals: Report indicts ex-military chiefs

Buhari, panel’s chairman meet

DSS files report on detained Air Cdr.

Some former military chiefs are likely to be invited over some suspicious arms contracts, The Nation learnt yesterday.

They are among those indicted by the Presidential Committee on the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces, a source said.

The committee is ready with its report on arms deals in the Army.

The panel, headed by Air Vice Marshal JON Ode, is expected to submit its report this week to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The audit report on procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector covers 2007 to 2015.

Some former Chiefs of Army Staff may be asked to respond to some issues in the report.

Ahead of the submission of the report, the chairman of the panel on Friday met with the President on some recommendations and the detention of one of its members, Air Commodore Mohammed Umar(retd.)

Umar is said to be central to the breakthrough recorded by the panel on some high-profile fraud.

The Air Commodore was arrested on June 19 by the Department of State Service (DSS). About $1,030,000 was reportedly found at his residence in Maitama District, Abuja.

The DSS has been working on clues that Umar might have taken “advantage of his membership of the Arms Panel” to extort suspects.

But Umar insisted that the money was payment to his company, Easy Jet Integrated Service Limited, for cargo flights to Houston and Hong Kong.

He said the payment on 12 May 2016 was for: Cargo flight (Ilyusin II-76 cargo plane from Nairobi-Houston) at $520,000 and drop-off from Nairobi-Hong Kong at $510,000.

The DSS is, however, still probing Air Commodore Umar.

A source told our correspondent that the Ode Panel was ready with what he described as an “explosive” report.

The source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said: “Certainly, heads will roll as it was the case when a similar outcome was presented to the Presidency on the Nigerian Air Force.”

The source said the panel’s chairman met with the President in company of the National Security Adviser(NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd).

“I think the panel had issues with the DSS over the arrest of Air Commodore Umar who is said to be central to the bursting of high-profile arms scandals. He was worried that Umar’s detention had to do with plans by some forces planning to destroy the panel.

“He made known his intention and that of other panel members to abandon the work over what they termed the unfair treatment of Air Commodore Umar,” the source said, adding:

“You know these people have presented their report on Air Force on the basis of which Badeh and other Air Force chiefs are now on trial. They were preparing to submit this week that of the Army, which has indicted many people.

“The detention of Umar was seen by the panel as part of a sinister ploy to get at the committee and rubbish all that we have done. And the Air Commodore, being a key member of the committee, knows too much and has a lot of documents that aided our work. That is why some are jittery.”

“Umar was instrumental to the early success of the committee as he used his personal money to hire foreign experts on forensics and arms procurement to help the committee in unearthing alleged frauds committed over the years.”

Apart from the chairman of the panel, some senior government officials and other individuals close to the President are said to have been angered by what they called “shabby and disgraceful treatment meted out to Umar for no just cause and allegations that cannot be proven”.

A delegation of five governors led by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was said to have met President Buhari on Thursday to complain about the travails of the retired military officer and the implications of what they called “the power game” on the government.

Some of the items recovered by the DSS from the residence of the Air Commodore on June 19, 2016 are 13 vehicles; various denominations of both foreign and local currencies; one bag containing documents; one Black Star Express bag containing documents; a laptop; a document containing details of disbursements made by the Armed Forces and security agencies, Volume 1-3; document on contract for Niger Armec EE Niger; document on Nigerian Air Force Holding Company(NAFHC) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria; two files of Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited documents; and one file of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Also listed are two Pump Action guns.

The DSS has filed a First Information Report (FIR) with a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abuja on Air Commodore Umar to ensure that his detention is in line with the law.

Umar is undergoing investigation for alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

The FIR reads in part: “Illegal possession of firearms and money laundering contrary to Section 27(1) (b) (i) of the Firearms Act Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 15(1) (d) (e) of the Money Laundering Act Cap. M18 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“Enquiries by the State Security Service revealed that Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd) has in his possession two Pump Action guns with Serial Numbers 09/1573 and 397 without a valid licence and large sums of money in local and foreign currencies suggestive of the fact that he received the said monies in contravention of the Money Laundering Act.”

A document sighted by our correspondent revealed that the FCT police on March 10, 2000 granted Mohammed the gun licence in line with The Firearms Act of 1958.

The gun is described as SBSG, 12 Calibre or Bore, made by Magnum with No. 397. The ammunition is cartridge with 100 rounds.

The licence reads: “Licence is hereby granted Air Commodore Mohammed Umar of House No. 4 Lundi Close, off Missisipi Road, Maitama, Abuja to possess and bear the firearm described in the Schedule hereunder. The licence is issued subject to the following terms: Hunting and Gaming. The licence is valid until 31st December, 2010.”

The licence was for a period of 10 years; it was not immediately clear why Umar did not renew it.

He ran into trouble with the DSS for not renewing the said licence.

A source gave an insight into the investigation of Air Commodore Umar by the DSS.

He said: “Air Commodore Umar was a known face in Aso Rock from the time of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua up to the twilight of Jonathan administration.

“A very close ally of Isa Yuguda during the inglorious days of the Cabal operating in the Presidency in the absence of an incapacitated late President Umaru Yar’Adua, under the Buhari administration, he has struck a blossoming partnership with a top security chief.

“There is also pressure on investigators to question him as to how he got the money to float Easy Jet as an Air Commodore?

“An equally important question is why keeping government documentary evidence in personal abode?”

The source spoke of “a cabal fraternising with close aides of the President while also going around to drop the President’s name for favour-seekers.

“The activities of the cabal are gradually becoming an embarrassment to the anti-corruption campaign of the Buhari-led administration.”

The cabal is said to have turned the home of a member of the arms probe panel into a “trial-before-trial” meeting place.

“It will be recalled that former Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu retuned N2.3b to the Federal Government. The EFCC also seized houses belonging to Mr. Amosu worth over N500m, in addition to $140,000 USD in cash with an additional N381m seized from Mr. Amosu’s wife.

“The cabal’s tentacles are growing by the day and might be bigger than what was experienced under any administration in Nigeria.

“The latest onslaught was unleashed on the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari who has been considered a threat to the cabal’s operations. He has been targeted and silenced with a view to successfully isolating the Presidency. Kyari has been side-lined.

But there were rumours last night over plans to save Umar.

A security source said: “Insiders also squealed that an independent team of investigators would be raised to establish the veracity of all allegations against Mohammed Umar.

“This proposed move is to forestall a scandal of unimaginable proportions which could threaten the success of Buhari’s anti-corruption war.”

A source close to Umar debunked all the allegations and described them as baseless.

He said: “These allegations are like wild goose chase. One, how can a person with unblemished military career like Air Cmdr Umar and who is close to the President be accused of terrorism financing? Which terrorists? And because that cannot fly they changed the music.

“The two pump action guns they picked from his house were registered when he procured them in the year 2000. The licence is there. And how can you say someone who has business interests all over the world cannot be found in possession of foreign currencies?

“Air Commodore Umar travels widely. He is a friend of several heads of governments across the world and his two companies, Easy Jet and African Energy, have business interests the world over. And the cars that they found there are vehicles that he bought over the years; some 10 some, some eight, some five years.”

June 27, 2016
Arms deals probe: Chief consultant to FOSSRA resigns

The Chief Media Consultant to the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), Mr. Yushau Shuaib yesterday resigned his appointment after three years serving as an intermediary between all the major security and response agencies and the media in Nigeria.

Shuaib was engaged by former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki to serve as media consultant to military, security, intelligence and response organisations under a unified platform.

His firm, Image Merchants, was among the 300 companies and persons indicted by a committee which reviewed contracts in ONSA.

He said his firm was shocked by the indictment after the panel asked him to pay outstanding taxes to the coffers of the government.

In his notice of resignation to the Chairman of the Forum and Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, Shuaib said he could no longer continue to serve FOSSRA which is under the auspices of Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of members of the panel out on vengeance mission.

stroy others apparently as a way and means of venting their anger over their past frustrations or exerting revenge against their perceived enemies or rivalries while in the service.

added: “It is mere mischief for the Jon Ode-panel to indict an umbrella strategic communication outfit that was not involved in partisan politics but provided proofs of its assignment and paid the full taxes demanded by the panel only for the same panel to turn around and claimed nothing was done just few days after an article we published exposing the lies being orchestrated that no weapons were bought by the previous administration for the prosecution of war on terror.

“The panel were even arguing with us on some contents of the published article forgetting that while most of them were on retirement we risk our live by engaging top serving military officers on various security issues and on the field which we disseminate through the media to the public.

“They seemed to be aggrieved with the disclosure in the article that the previous administration bought sophisticated weapons for the military, which included: Alpha jets, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) APCs, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunitions, highly sophisticated surveillance drones, T72 Battle Tanks and modification of F7 supersonic jet fighters.”

March 29, 2016
Panel invites Ihejirika, Minimah, Dambazzau over arms deals

Airhiavbere, Muraina, Bassey, Kitchener, Ugwu, Akinyemi, others summoned

The Presidential Committee on Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces has extended its investigations to the tenure of three former Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS) – Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.

The panel has summoned over 292 serving and retired top officers who worked with the three former Army chiefs.

It said it was in line with its mandate to look into procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment from 2007 to 2015.

The committee has also asked more than 10 local and foreign companies to appear before it. They include the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

According to sources, the Chairman of the committee, Air Vice Marshal JON Ode, has asked the Nigerian Army Headquarters to direct all the officers to be present at the panel.

The panel’s letter to the Army Headquarters said: “The invitees are required to clarify issues arising from procurement between 2007 and 2015 before the committee sitting at the ONSA daily.

“AHQ is required to cause the appearance of the senior officers and CEOs of the companies before the committee on dates stated against their names. Your cooperation will be most appreciated.”

It was gathered last night that some of the military chiefs will testify before the panel today.

Procurement overheads to be probed include ammunition for Darfur operation, supply of training kits and equipment; purchase of 16MG and 29 RPG and 10Grenade Launchers; repair of seven assault craft; repair service and upgrade of 29 Suncraft ; purchase of 15 Freefall Parachutes; buying of MRAP vehicles with maintenace containers; order of Radio Technologies Equipment; purchase of 10 APCs by DICON; 51 GPMG and sustenance of Operation Zaman Lafiya; emergency procurement of Combat Equipment for Ongoing Ops; Operation Internal Security; Quick Response Group and Forward Operation Bases; HE Type Mortal and purchase of Bullet Proof Vests.

Some of the retired officers invited are former Commander of the Army Finance Corps, Maj-Gen Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State; former Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps, Lagos , Maj.-Gen. Olayemi Abidoye; ex-Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General E. E. Bassey; former General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Major General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo; former Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General M.A. Yerima; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General O Akinyemi; former Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC)Major-General A. A. Martins; ex-GOC 3 Amoured Div, Maj.Gen. AB Marwa; and former Chief of Policy and Plans at Army headquarters, Major General A. Atofarati.

Others include former Commandant, Army Finance Corps, Gen. A.I. Muraina; ex- Directing Staff, National Defence College, Maj-Gen. Christian Onuorah Ugwu; former Director-General, Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), Maj.-Gen. Ekwenugo Chioba; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General Essien Bassey; former Chief of Logistics at the Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Kitchener; and former Defence Attaché at the Nigerian Embassy in Pakistan, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Kitchener.

Some of the local and foreign firms slated for interaction, alongside their Chief Executive Officers, are DICON; Streit Group; China North Industries; Suncraft International Inc; Shangai L Electronics; Poly Trechnologies Inc; NRTC Pakistan; Kennedy Logistics; DYS Global Service Limited; Driveline System; Hadassa Investment Security Nigeria Ltd; Oraco Trade Link Limited and M/S Jatori.

Although some serving Army Generals are expected to appear before the panel, their names are being kept under wraps “for strategic reasons”.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “All those invited have been served letters and some of them will appear on Monday (today).

“Actually, most of them have nothing to do with fraud in the Nigerian Army but the panel cannot do a thorough job and be fair minded without hearing from them. For instance, all past commanders of Army Ordinance Corps from 2007 to 2015 were summoned by the panel. The Ordinance Corps has more or less to do with keeping inventory of arms, ammunition and other equipment. All they need to do is to reconcile the records of arms purchased and those utilised.

“The chairman of the committee, AVM Ode, is a thorough professional and a respected man of probity. This is why the committee wants to meet with all key stakeholders who have had to take decisions on arms procurement.”

Asked if the committee will interact with the three former Chiefs of Army Staff, the source said: “If there is need for it, Generals Dambazzau, Ihejirika and Minima will certainly be invited.

“Please note, none of all those invited is facing trial. They will only interact with this fact-finding committee. At the end of the day, the panel will make recommendations to the President and Commander-In-Chief, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

“Where there are infractions,the C-I-C will make appropriate decision, based on facts and figures.

“No one is the target; nobody has been labeled a thief or looter. We are looking into massive procurement issues in the Nigerian Army.”

March 21, 2016