• Investigates €3.6m spent to buy security
vehicles for Niger Republic • Okonjo-Iweala, former Service Chiefs to be quizzed • Intensifies collaboration with UK NCA over Diezani
A second round of
investigation into the US$2.1billion arms deals is to be commenced by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tomorrow.
The Nation report continues:
Top of the probe agenda
is how the Jonathan Administration spent €3,654,121million to purchase security vehicles for the
Republic of Niger in October 2013 and April 2014.
The
cash was withdrawn from the ONSA account in two installments of €1,
401,869 and €2,252,252.25,
The
commission is also seeking to verify whether or not the vehicles were bought
and under what diplomatic or bilateral security cooperation.
It
was gathered that it would require finding out from the Republic of Niger if
there was such assistance from Nigeria.
The
agency plans to quiz a number more public figures including Minister of
Finance in the Jonathan administration, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, some
ex-Service Chiefs and serving military officers in connection with the US$2.1billion
arms deal.
Some
suspects may be taken into custody in the process, sources hinted yesterday.
The
EFCC, it was gathered, is through with the first phase of the probe of the
arms deals which led to the arraignment of ex-National Security Adviser Sambo
Dasuki and 10 others.
The
interrogation of the likes of Dasuki and the others now facing trial or about
to be arraigned seems to have convinced the agency of digging deeper than
originally planned.
A
top source said: “We are beginning the second phase of the ongoing
investigation of the US$2.1b arms deals on Monday. From the preliminary
findings, the scandal is mind-boggling.
“We
are going to question more high-profile serving and former public officers,
including a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the release
of some funds.
“We
want the ex-Minister to shed more light on how about US$322million was
disbursed to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“Some
serving and former military chiefs will have to respond to issues which we have
already isolated for clarification.”
The
source said investigators have already obtained the list of military equipment
which were bought and the inventory by the Armed Forces.
“This
explains why some serving and former military chiefs will need to come and
assist our investigators,” he said.
“Some
of the companies which supplied these equipment have been contacted too.”
On
the purchase of security vehicles for Niger Republic, the EFCC is said to
have established that the money by ONSA on the purchase of vehicles for Niger
Republic was withdrawn from the ONSA account in two installments of €1,
401,869 and €2,252,252.25,
The
commission is keen to confirm whether or not the vehicles were bought and under
what diplomatic or bilateral security cooperation.
It
was gathered that it would require finding out from the Republic of Niger if
there was such assistance from Nigeria.
The
initial cash of €1, 401,869 was drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria in an
October 2013 through ONSA memo ACCT/87/VOL.1/384
The
second tranche of €2,252,252.25 was got from the CBN in an April 1, 2014 via a
memo ACCT/87/VOL.1/60
The
first memo to the CBN Governor, “Transfer of foreign exchange”, said: “You are
please requested to transfer the sum of €1, 401,869.00 only in favour of
SEI Societe d’equipments internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 as payment for the
supply of security vehicles to Republic of Niger. The wire transfer details are
as follows: Banque: SONIBANK (Republique du Niger-Niamey). Compete
N025111123981/22. Code Banque: 80064. Code Guichrt: 01001.
“The amount
should be charged to National Security Adviser Account no. 0020172241019
with the Central Bank of Nigeris Abuja and all charges thereto.
“Please
accept the assurances of the National Security Adviser.”
A
second memo said: “You are please requested to transfer the sum of €2, 252,
252.25 only in favour of SEI Societe d’equipments internanaux-Niamey-Niger
BP 11737 as payment for the supply of security vehicles to Republic of Niger.
The wire transfer details are as follows: Banque: SONIBANK (Republique du
Niger-Niamey). Compete N025111123981/22. Code Banque: 80064. Code Guichrt:
01001.
“The
amount should be charged to National Security Adviser Account no. 0020172241019
with the Central Bank of Nigeria,Abuja and all charges thereto.
“Please
accept the assurances of the National Security Adviser.”
Meanwhile,
the EFCC has intensified its collaboration with the National Crime Agency in
the United Kingdom with the ongoing probe of former Minister of Petroleum Resources,
Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The
International Corruption Unit (ICU) of NCA on October 2 arrested Diezani and
four others.
The
identities of the remaining four suspects are yet to be unveiled.
But
all the suspects are being investigated for alleged bribery and money
laundering.
The
EFCC source, who is actively involved in the ongoing investigation, said: “We
have been collaborating with NCA on Diezani’s case which has reached an
appreciable level.
“We
have the details of others arrested with Diezani but we will not disclose until
the matter gets to a convenient bend.
“So
far, we have been comparing notes with NCA on a faster note in terms of
tracking a few transactions and documents. There is no hiding place for the
ex-Minister and her alleged accomplices.
“By
the time the trial begins, the NCA and EFCC would have established a solid case
against the ex-Minister and other suspects.”
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