— EFCC questions military officers over $2.1 billion arms deal fraud
— Some officers arrived EFCC headquarters for questioning yesterday
— Military ready to release those indicted to face prosecution
Some top military officers indicted in the alleged $2.1 billion arms deal fraud were reportedly grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, January 25.
Daily Trust reports that some of the officers indicted have started arriving the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to face questioning.
Attempts to get EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren to disclose the names of the officers that were questioned yesterday was not successful because his mobile phone number was unavailable.
However, EFCC sources confirmed that some of the officers started showing up at the commission’s head office yesterday.
President Muhammadu Buhari had last week, ordered directed the EFCC to carry out further investigations into the activities of officers linked to the arms deal scam.
Those the president directed should face further investigation are former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and two former chiefs of air staff, retired Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, and retired Air Marshal M.D Umar.
Others are air vice marshals; A. M. Mamu, O. T. Oguntoyinbo, T. Omenyi, J. B. Adigun, R. A. Ojuawo and J. A. Kayode-Beckley.
The rest are air commodores; A. O. Ogunjobi; G. M. D. Gwani, S. O. Makinde, A. Y. Lassa and Colonel N. Ashinze.
Five service chiefs and many other senior military and air force commanders have already appeared before the probe panel, while a second interim audit report by a presidential probe panel recommended further investigation of some serving and retired military officers linked to the arms deal.
Meanwhile, the military has said it was ready to release those indicted to face prosecution.
The military noted that the outcome of the EFCC investigation would determine the next line of action for the military authorities regarding those officers.
However, some of the Army officers indicted in the scam have cried foul, alleging that they were not allowed to appear before the Special Investigative Committee (SIC) before being referred to the EFCC.
Buhari had ordered a probe into the alleged misapplication of about $2.1 billion meant for the procurement of arms during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser whose office handled the arms purchases is already facing trial.
Credit: NAIJ COM
