$2.1 BN ARMS DEAL: BODE GEORGE, PETER ODILI GOT N100M EACH FROM DASUKI

Latest revelation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, received the sum of N100m each from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, rtd.

Speaking with Sahara Reporters, a source from the anti-graft agency revealed that the N200m given to the two PDP officials was from the fund meant to procure arms that will better re-position the military in its fight against insurgency.

The money was paid to them so as to ensure the re-election of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, who lost the presidential election held on March 28, 2015.

It was recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari recently commissioned a panel to investigate how $2bn meant for the procurement of arms deal disappeared from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Col Sambo Dasuki, rtd, who was arrested yesterday initially claimed that he never diverted money meant for the procurement of arms as the former President, Goodluck Jonathan approved all his expenses related to the deals.

His stand on the matter later changed soon after he was confronted with the statement written by his former Director of finance, Shuaibu Salisu who revealed the names of those involved in the scam. No fewer than 21 persons have been arrested by the law enforcement agents in connection with the arms deal.

Among those arrested in connection with the deal include, former senior staff of the office of the National Security Adviser, a former state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, former Chairman of African Independent Television, AIT, Raymond Dokpesi .

Dokpesi had in his defense said the money he received from the NSA was used to prosecute former President Jonathan’s campaign and publicity for the PDP. Another source from the EFCC, while speaking with the newspaper, described as unbelievable the claims by Dokpesi that he received funds from the NSA to run publicity for Jonathan and the PDP.

it is unbelievable for the National Security Adviser, NSA, to be the person allocating money for political campaigns,

the source said.

Mr. Bafarawa, whose detention was approved by a court order, has stated that he received N4.6 billion from Mr. Dasuki for “spiritual purposes.” Our EFCC source said their agents were still questioning the former governor to explain what was meant by “spiritual purposes.”

The report further quoted the source as saying Odili and Mr. George “may soon be invited to explain why they received N100 million each from funds budgeted for arms purchase.”