Arms Procurement Scandal: Dasuki Did Not Steal $2.2billion – Jonathan
Col. Sambo Dasuki, ex-National Security Adviser to Goodluck Jonathan[/caption]
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday said that he doesn’t not believe that the National Security Adviser, NSA during his administration, Sambo Dasuki stole $2.2billion.
His statement comes amidst claims by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), that Dasuki diverted the sum which was meant for the procurement of arms.
Dasuki has been in detention since December 1, 2015. He was arrested by security agency in an early morning raid on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan, who was speaking at the famous Oxford Union, Oxford United Kingdom, on the subject of promoting youth entrepreneurship, argued that his administration procured several equipment for the country’s military, adding that Dasuki did not steal the $2.2 billion as alleged.
“They said the National Security Adviser stole $2.2billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion. We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?”
The former president who admitted that there were corruption issues during his administration, said that some of the allegations have been “exaggerated”.
“Yes, there were some issues; yes, there are still corruption issues; but some of it were blown, I’d say exaggerated, and they give a very bad impression about our nation. You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible.
“One thing about the issue of corruption is that these matter are in court, let’s allow some of these processes to end. Lately some judges’ (homes) were also invaded. There are so many things involved and we have to follow up these matters to conclusion before we know the fact.
“I don’t want to be seen as a former president challenging what the sitting government is doing so I have decided to keep quiet for the court to look into them,” he said.
He further argued that corruption is a global problem but the perception of corruption is greater in Nigeria due to the Nigerian media obsession with reporting on corruption.
“I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria, there is corruption. If you look at corruption there is almost no country that is free, the degree varies, the perception varies.
“Transparency International talks about the way corruption is being perceived in different economies, why do we talk about the way corruption is being perceived, it depends on the issue raised in the media every day,” he said.
