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Tag: Ihejirika

  • Alleged N13b arms cash: Ihejirika to face another EFCC panel in Lagos

    Alleged N13b arms cash: Ihejirika to face another EFCC panel in Lagos

    For the second day running, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday interrogated a  former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika,  over alleged N13 billion arms cash traced to him and relations.

    He will also be relocated to Lagos to face another panel of the EFCC on the $2.1billion arms deals through the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA).

    It was unclear when Ihejirika will appear before the team in Lagos.

    But one of his nephews, who also operates as a Personal Assistant sometimes to Ihejirika, admitted payment of about N69million into his account.

    He said the cash was remitted “based on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff” without offering any service.

    A source in the EFCC, who spoke on the latest bend of the ongoing investigation,  said: “The interrogation of a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), continued for a second day, today February 22, 2018 with the operatives of the EFCC further confronting him with more revelations unearthed in the investigation of the now infamous $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.

    “Ihejirika, who came in to the EFCC Headquarters, Abuja at about 12 noon today, was released, at the end of the first round of questioning.

    “He had requested to be allowed to go back home and gather more information as regards various documents and questions put to him by investigators.

    “The former Army Chief will also face another investigation panel at the Lagos office of the EFCC.”

    As at press time, a nephew of Ihejirika has owned up that about N69million was remitted into his account “based on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff.”

    Another source said: “The nephew was honest in telling the EFCC team that he neither offered any service nor executed any contract for the Nigerian Army.

    “When the panel inquired about what the money was meant for, the nephew simply added: ‘I was given to assist relations.’ He is yet to provide the details of disbursement.”

    The Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP), headed by AVM JON Ode(rtd) had discovered that Army votes including N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000 were transferred to individuals

    “Furthermore, analyses of the various banks  of the two companies revealed suspicious transfers to individuals such as Raymond Ihejirika, Nkechi Ihejirika, Ndubuisi Ihejirika, Orji Ihejirika, Kingsley Ihejirika and Naomi Onyeabor. The total amounts transferred to these individuals was over N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000, the panel said.

  • $685m deals: Buhari orders probe of Ihejirika, Minimah

    $685m deals: Buhari orders probe of Ihejirika, Minimah

    Many military contracts were awarded without due process and incompetent vendors got the jobs, it was learnt last night.

    A panel investigating Defence equipment procurement between 2007 and 2015 has uncovered massive fraud in Army contracts.

    The Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP), headed by Air Vice Marshal Jon Ode, which submitted its third interim report to President Muhamadu Buhari last week, recommended further investigations, which the president has approved.

    To be investigated are two former Chiefs of Army Staff – Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika and Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.

    Sixteen other retired and serving army officers are also to be probed, besides 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement of equipment.

    They are: 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 (retd.) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd.

    A statement last night by the Committee gave the total amount spent on procurement and operations within the period as N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49.

    The panel found that Army contracts were awarded by the Ministry of Defence without ‘’significant input from end-user (Nigerian Army) and to vendors who lacked the necessary technical competence.

    ‘’As an example, three contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000.00 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig. Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware, including 20 units of KM-38 Twin Hull Boats and six units of 4X4 ambulances fitted with radios.

    “The committee discovered that the two companies collected N5,103,500,000.00, representing 86 per cent of the total value of the three contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31,’’ the report said.

    The committee also found that a contract worth N169,916,849.77 for the procurement of 53 armoured vehicles spare parts, with 90 days completion time, is yet to be completed five years after.

    For contracts awarded directly by the Army, the Committee found out that many were characterised by ‘’lack of due process, in breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.

    ‘’In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000.0 for the Army without any competitive bidding.

    ‘’Though the committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics. Also, analysis of the various bank accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals related to then Chief of Army Staff,’’ the report said.

  • Arms scam: Buhari orders Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others probe

    Arms scam: Buhari orders Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others probe

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday ordered the investigation of 54 individuals  over their alleged involvement in the arms procurement scandal.

    The President’s order followed Thursday’s release of the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces.

    A statement signed by the President of the Committee, AVM Jon Ode (rtd), said among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement.

    “All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the Nigerian Army procurement activities during the period under review,” the statement said.

    Those listed for further investigation are two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (rtd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (rtd), 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 Me. E.O, Oyemomi.

    Also, the CEOs to be investigated are Col. Olu Bamgbose (rtd) of Bamverde Limited, Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Limited and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Limited.

    According to the Committee, the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185, 843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49 respectively.

     

  • Panel invites Ihejirika, Minimah, Dambazzau over arms deals

    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.”

  • DHQ accuses Amnesty of blackmailing Badeh, military hierarchy

    DHQ accuses Amnesty of blackmailing Badeh, military hierarchy

    The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday accused Amnesty International of blackmailing the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and the nation’s military hierarchy.

    It accused the rights watchdog of premeditated indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose.

    The military said the Amnesty report has confirmed the organization’s alleged questionable interest in the counter-terrorism efforts in Nigeria.

    The DHQ, which made its position known in a statement in Abuja through the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, faulted Amnesty for relying on spurious and manipulated statistics.

    The statement said: “The Defence Headquarters has noted with dismay the gruesome allegations made by the Amnesty International against some senior military officers serving and retired of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “It is unfortunate that all efforts made in the allegation were geared towards continuation of blackmail against the military hierarchy in which the organization had embarked upon since the inception of military’s action against terrorist in the Northeast.

    “The officers mentioned in the report have no reason, whatsoever, to indulge in the allegation made against them.”

    The DHQ accused Amnesty of premeditated indictment to discredit Nigeria.

    It explained that all the allegations raised by the organization had been responded to and cleared in the public.

     

  • Boko Haram: ‘Probe Sheriff, Ihejirika’

    Boko Haram: ‘Probe Sheriff, Ihejirika’

    The Council of Babalawos in Northern Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to probe the claim that former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Azubike Ihejirika are sponsors of Boko Haram.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Fabunmi Aiyesoro, and Vice-Chairman Ogunwale Ogunshola, the group said the matter must not be swept under the carpet.

    Rising from a meeting in Bauchi State at the weekend, the group said if no probe was conducted after 40 days; it would “pursue legal action against Sheriff and Ihejerika for the destruction of our shrines in three states and claim monetary compensation for the destruction of forests which serve as a source of livelihood for our members. From 2011 to date, 48 members have lost their lives in the hands of Boko Haram members and their families are suffering untold hardship due to the loss of their breadwinners”.

    It added: “The Council of Babalawos in Northern Nigeria has suffered unquantifiable human and material loss as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency like other Nigerians and feel deeply pained that Boko Haram is gradually forming another country within the Nigerian state.

    “Our members source herbs from forests like Sambisa, Biu, Gwoza and Hong and the taking over of these areas by this retrogressive group has denied us the opportunity of treating our clients.

    “We call on the Federal Government to dislodge Boko Haram members from all towns and forests in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. This will restore our member’s right to freedom of worship as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. Babalawos are Nigerians and deserve the same recognition accorded imams and pastors by the government. Many churches and mosque have received compensation from state governments for the destruction of their place of worship, but not one Babalawo has received a condolence message or any form of monetary compensation since the Boko Haram problem started three years ago.”

  • Allegation against me frivolous, unfounded, says Ihejirika

    Allegation against me frivolous, unfounded, says Ihejirika

    The immediate past  Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejika has described the allegation of sponsorship of the Boko Haram sect leveled against him by Dr. Stephen Davis as frivolous and unfounded.

    According to him, it was meant to divert the attention of the country and its security agencies from  the challenges posed by the sect.

    Speaking with journalists at the National Defence College, Abuja on Friday, Ihejirika warned against giving undue attention to what he called frivolous and baseless accusations.

    According to him, such allegation would have been dismissed if it were to have been made in a developed  country like the United States or the United Kingdom.

    The insurgents, he said, were exploiting the country’s diverse ethnic, religious and other fault lines to wage war against the nation, adding that the war has now taken a media dimension.

    He stated that some people considered his handling of the counter insurgency campaign high handed, during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, but said he owed such people no apologies.

    Said he: “If this accusation was made in a country like US or UK, it would not be discussed for one hour because they would wave it aside; but they are exploiting our traditional fault lines ,  a multi-religious multi ethnic, multi-cultural and young democracy, so what they have tried to do is aimed at achieving what they could not achieve…

    “I have chosen to do this because we cannot allow national security to be toyed with; the need for security awareness in spite of the effort I put in at time and the effort being put by the current leadership of the Armed Forces, the need for security awareness still persists.

    “I want to urge all Nigerians to join hands to support Mr. President and members of the Armed Forces in their onerous task to rid this country of terrorism.

    “I want to further advise that baseless, unfounded and frivolous allegations like this have the capacity of diverting our attention, away from the main problem.

    “Nigeria must exist before you can hold a single political office and there is no compromise in the effort to have a peaceful and united Nigeria. Therefore, I have no apologies at all whatsoever to those who thought I was high handed.

    “I used to explain to them that the Nigerian Army is not high handed, but every Army makes a lot of efforts to ensure that its troops operate within the rule of engagement”.

    The ex-Army Chief said the Nigerian Army under his leadership recruited 9000 soldiers in 2013 to beef up the strength of the military and to monitor the borders more effectively.

    He urged Nigerians to avoid utterances that could bring down the morale of Nigerian troops, a situation which he warned, could be dangerous.

    According to him, the allegation made against him by Davis should have been a subject of discuss if the citizenry had a better knowledge of the strategy and tactics employed by terrorists;  and that if politics in the country was mature enough.

    He maintained that the terrorists were waging a media warfare to achieve what they have not been able to achieve through violence.

    “That we are where we are today is a lesson to us. The lesson is that  the terrorists are not sleeping; what they cannot achieve through bombing they want to achieve through media warfare.

    “War is no longer fought in the traditional three dimension of air, land and sea; we have clearly seen the fourth dimension of warfare”, he stated.

    Ihejirika said he was unruffled by the attention given to the allegation because of his belief that “we are yet to come to terms with the motives of the terrorists and their desire to bring this nation down”.

  • Ihejirika praises Jonathan at youth council inauguration

    Ihejirika praises Jonathan at youth council inauguration

    Ihanaeze Youth Council, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been inaugurated with Mazi Ikechukwu Isiguzo as its chairman. Isiguzo is the first elected chairman of the group since the previous leaders were selected.

    The ceremony attracted prominent Igbo leaders, youth organisations from the Southwest, Southsouth and North of the country. The occasion was co-chaired by former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika and the publisher of Champion Newspaper, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

    Abia State Governor and Chairman, Southeast Governors Forum, Chief Theodore Orji was also there as well as the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Enwo Gary-Igariwey. Traditional rulers and politicians were equally there.

    Ihejirika in his remarks urged Nigerian youths to fight insurgency and insecurity that is fast spreading in Nigeria. Making his case, he said that the Nigerian youths should understand the enormity of President Goodluck Jonathan’s effort in combating insurgency.

    The retired general urged the Igbo youths to liaise with the youths of other nationalities across the country to complement government’s fight against insecurity. He equally urged the youths to help inform the larger society so they could vote wisely when it comes to election time.

    Ihejirika said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is performing very well. There is so much we can do in this country but without security we cannot do much.

    “When you empower the youths, you fight insecurity, youths must not go to sleep. I therefore call on youths both within and outside the south east to wake up and help government quell insecurity in the country. Anybody who loves youths loves this country.”

    Governor Orji in his own speech stated that since his government embarked on laudable youth empowerment projects, kidnapping has reduced in his state.

    He noted that when it comes to war, it was always the youths that are used to fight wars and cited the instance of Biafra war which was fought mostly by the youths.

    Orji said: “If you have not taken care of the youths, then you have not done anything. We don’t want war again but the unity of this country because Igbos lost all for the unity of this country.”

    Governor Orji urged the Igbo youths to be proud of their heritage, the values and the culture, while reminding them not to be intimidated by anybody since the country belongs to all Nigerians.

    The chairman of the Ohanaeze Youths Council, Mazi Isiguzoro vowed that the council under his leadership “shall fight insecurity in Igboland, both South East and beyond to standstill.” He noted that kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities were being perpetrated by mainly Igbo youths.

    He added: “We have what it takes to go after these miscreants who give Igbo youths a bad name. With the collaboration of our governors as chief security officers of their various states and in partnership with security agencies, insecurity in Igbo land shall be reduced to to the barest minimum within one year.”

    Isiguzoro said his second point in his agenda is youth empowerment which he said is a panacea to insecurity. The Youth Council in that regard launched the Igbo Youth Development/Skill Acquisition Centre. Governor Orji of Abia State granted the centre N1.5million for take off. The centre shal have sections on ICT, entrepreneurship training, skill acquisition etc.

    The youth leader also hinted that he planned to embark on a re-orientation of Igbo youths. “One of the basic problem facing today’s Igbo youth is that of internalizing Igbo cosmology as seposed by Igbo ethos such as igwebuike, onye aghala nwanneya, ezi aha ka ego etc,” he stressed.

    There were goodwill messages from the Ijaw Youth Council, IjawNational Congress led by Charles Ambiowei, Yoruba Youth congress and others.

  • Use admin tools to tackle insecurity, Ihejirika urges FG

    Use admin tools to tackle insecurity, Ihejirika urges FG

    The immediate-past Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) has called on the government to employ administrative tools in tackling problems of internal security in the country. Ihejirika made this call in a lecture he delivered during the annual dinner of the Chartered Institute of Administration, held in Lagos. He said since the end of cold war era, countries all over the world have been battling the problem of violence, and that there was the need to explore other means outside the conventional method of tackling the problem of internal security. According to him, “There is no doubt that government at all levels has been doing much to address the security challenges Nigeria is facing. Among the several things the Federal Government is doing to reverse the insecurity, it is evident that the military has been called out and is deployed in almost all states of the federation in aid of civil authority. ‘’

  • Ihejirika blames terrorism on neighbouring countries

    Ihejirika blames terrorism on neighbouring countries

    The immediate past Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has blamed the increasing cases of terrorism in the country on regional threats and militia activities in neighbouring countries.

    Speaking in Abuja at a farewell ceremony to pull him out of the Army, Gen. Ihejirika said the menace of terrorism and insurgency could however be resolved quickly if people volunteered information and appreciated the sacrifices being made by the security agencies.

    The ceremony which attracted top serving and retired military officers saw General Ihejirika being pulled out of the Army by Brigadiers-General and other senior officers.