Nigerian major newspapers today, December 16, focused on the ongoing arms probe deal involving the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd). As matters stand, Dasuki is now facing 47-count charges before three different courts and judges in Abuja, Vanguard reports. He had previously been docked before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on asix-count charge bordering on money laundering and alleged illegal possession of firearms.
On Monday, December 14, the former NSA was arraigned before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the FCT High Court on a fresh 19-count charge. The charge bordered on alleged illegal diversion of about N32billion from accounts the office of the NSA operated with both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other banks, while yesterday, he was arraigned before an FCT high court on a new 22-count criminal charge bordering on alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of about N13. 6billion. The Punch reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 15, accused Dasuki of compromising the security of the nation and committing economic sabotage through his alleged diversion of over N32bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight terrorists in the North -East.
The commission, which also gave more details about the alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms by the office of the NSA during Dasuki’s tenure, said there were documents showing that the ex-NSA gave the approval for the release of the funds to the accounts of private companies and individuals for the procurement of arms.
EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said this before Justice Yusuf Baba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, while opposing the bailapplications filed by Dasuki and his co-accused persons, who are being prosecuted on 19 counts of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of the money.
The Punch front page today
According to The Guardian, a non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday urged the Federal Government to adhere to the dictates of the rule of law in the trial of those accused of wrongdoings in the arms procurement scandal.
In a 22-count charge preferred against Yuguda, Bafarawa, Sagir and Dalhatu Investment by the EFCC, they were alleged to have unlawfully diverted the said money originally earmarked for the purchase of arms by the Office of the NSA.
The accused were said to have misappropriated the money between August 2013 and May 7, 2015. Upon their arraignment, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to each of the 22 counts bordering on conspiracy, dishonest receipt of stolen property in breach of sections 97 and 317 of the Penal Code Act as well as receipt of proceeds of criminal conducts in breach of section 17(b) of the EFCC Act.
The Guardian front page today
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, may soon meet over the mind- boggling revelations from the arms cash probe. Sources told The Nation that some associates of Dr. Jonathan were arranging a private meeting between the leaders to enable Jonathan “straighten out” some things with the President.
The ex-President is believed to be desirous of addressing some of the allegations in confidence because he is not keen on speaking publicly “so as not to heat up the polity”. It was also gathered that the ex-President’s camp noted that some of the N31billion cash was sourced from “security votes and budget for Special Services”.
The Nation front page
In a related development, the Presidency has denied reports on social media that President Muhammadu Buhari received $300,000.00 and up to five armoured sport utility vehicle (SUVs) from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the aftermath of the attack on his convoy in Kaduna last year.
It said what Buhari got was one armoured SUV and one untreated SUV after the attack but were his normal entitlements as a former head of state under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999. Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the president did not accept a questionable monetary compensation from former president Goodluck Jonathan, Daily Sun reports.
Daily Sun front page today