Presidency attacks Jonathan over comnent that Dasuki didn’t Steal $2.1bn

                             

The presidency has called on ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan to allow the court to decide the fate of his former national security adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd,), accused of misappropriating the sum of $2.2 billion meant to purchase equipment for the Nigerian military in its battle against the Boko Haram group.

The statement by the presidency was in reaction to Jonathan’s position that Dasuki did not steal $2.1bn contrary to the accusation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) currently prosecuting the ex-NSA. The former president speaking on Monday, October 24, at the famous Oxford Union, Oxford United Kingdom, on youth entrepreneurship argued that allegations about the $2.2 scam was faulty because his administration, where Dasuki served as the NSA, bought warships, aircraft and a lot of equipment for the military during the period.

But the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the courts should be allowed to decide the matter which he said was subjudice, the Punch reports “The matter is subjudice. Let the courts decide,” the presidential spokesman said. On his part, the deputy national publicity secretary of the APC, Mr. Timi Frank, urged Jonathan to assist Dasuki to make his case in court. READ ALSO: I have orders to investigate everyone – EFCC boss The APC spokesperson said it was not enough for the ex-president to say his former NSA didn’t steal the $2.1bn, but it would be more appropriate to assist in the investigation and prosecution of the case. He said: “First, I wonder why it took former President Jonathan such a long time to speak out. Why now? If Colonel Dasuki is as clean as he wants us to believe, it would be nice if he can assist his former NSA to prove his case in court.” Mr. Dasuki, who has been in detention since December 1, 2015, was arrested by the State Security Service for allegedly embezzling $2.2 billion meant to purchase arms for the Nigerian military. The scandal which has been dubbed Dasukigate, has also seen other top personalities including politicians and both serving and retired military officers face probe by anti-corruption agencies.

In another development, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was questioned on Monday, October 24, over suspected multiple criminal breaches while he held sway as FCT Minister between 2011 and 2015, Vanguard reports. Mohammed was said to have reported at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja around 10.30am.

Video: GEJ at Oxford Union Debate