Dasukigate: 15 Top Politicians Linked To $2.1 Billion Arms Deal Scandal (PHOTOS)

When the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki was invited last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to answer some vital questions on the $2.1 Billion arms deal scandal, nobody would ever have thought the names of some high profile politicians would later be allegedly linked to this national embarrassment.

Reports had it that the money which was meant to purchase arms and ammunition for the gallant Nigerian soldiers battling insurgency in the North-Eastern region of the country was instead shared among some politicians and used to execute elections.

On the other hand, terrorism flourished in leaps and bounds despite the complaints of the military that they were ill-equipped as no money was made available to purchase weapons.

The inhumane nature of good number of Nigerian politicians was again on display as they sacrificed the lives of innocent Nigerians on the altar of corruption by sharing the $2.1 billion among themselves. Likewise, some junior army officers were court-martialed because they refused to fight the Boko Haram insurgents which were not really their fault directly.

In the past 6 years of intense bombings and ceaseless killings by the Boko Haram terrorists, Nigerians continued to wonder why the war persist for so long and how the rag-tag Boko Haram would take at least 3 states of the federation despite the fact that Nigeria’s armed forces are known as one of the best in the world.

Since the confession of the former NSA started, several top-notch politicians who have been allegedly accused of being involved in the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal have been revealed.

1. Dr Goodluck Jonathan

The nation’s former number one citizen is said to have played a major role in the burning national issue of the arms deal. It has been learnt recently that the PDP has told Jonathan to speak out regarding what he knew about the whole episode. The EFCC chairman himself has said it is taking its time regarding investigating the former president.

According to The Punch of Monday, January 11 with the caption “SERAP Queries Jonathan On Diverted Arms Funds.”  The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) told Dr Jonathan to tell Nigerians his involvement in the arms deal scandal.

The SERAP wrote to former president asking certain germane questions from him. The Executive Director of SERAP highlighted 11 questions Jonathan must answer. He said he should tell Nigerians if he was the one that approved the alleged diversion of the money. Some of the questions are:

“Is it correct to suggest that the budget of over $2.1 bn to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North-East of the country was authorised by you (Dr Goodluck Jonathan), or your office?

“Did your former NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) seek your approval to collect money from the CBN the over $2.1 bn meant for the purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers?”

2. Namadi Sambo

The former vice president is also said to have been involved in the arms scam. There are reports that the EFCC is closing on some of Sambo’s aides.

3. Chief Olu Falae

The former presidential candidate on Sunday, January 10 said the N100 million he received was from the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Board of Trustee (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih. He said the sum was received under certain conditions.

On the other hand, Falae’s claim has been debunked by the Ogun state chapter of his party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The Punch newspaper of Monday, January 11 had the caption, “Armsgate: Ogun SDP Disowns Falae Over N100M Scandal.”

The chariman of the SDP in Ogun state, Chief Olu Agemo and the party’s state secretary, Clement Adeniyi on Sunday, January 10 jointly signed a statement released stating that the former SGF was on his own. Some contents of the statement were:

“It (the SDP) was never notified of or involved in any negotiation to partner the PDP or any other political party for the purpose of winning the election or maintaining peace during the period as claimed by Falae.

“The party was never informed by the National Secretariat of the party for the decision to adopt former president Goodluck Jonathan or any other candidate as the party’s presidential candidate.”

4. Chief Tony Anenih

The veteran politician and former chairman Board of Trustee (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was said to have been one of the principal actors in the distribution of the arms money. Anenih who is also known as Mr Fix it was said to have given Chief Olu Falae prior to the last year general election N100 million. There are calls from different quarters that the money was part of the arms deal money.

5. Jafaru Lawal Isa

The former military governor of Kaduna state is known as a man of integrity in his home state of Kano. He tried contesting as governor in 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but lost. He is known to be one of the close associates of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was recently invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to explain the role he played in the arms deal.

According to The Nation newspaper of Tuesday, January 12, the EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu said Jafaru Isa has returned N100 Million that he was given.

6. Raymond Dokpesi

The Chairman of DAAR Communications is said have been involved in the arms deal. According to the Vanguard newspaper of Wednesday, December 2, 2015 Dokpesi was invited to answer questions for allegedly receiving over N2 billion from the office of the NSA.

7. Bode George

Chief Bode George was a one time member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustee. He was also a former PDP South-West National Vice Chairman.

In a report on this same platform a month ago, the former NSA listed the name of Bode George among those the NSA gave money. Dasuki was said to have given Bode George N100 Million.


 

8. Peter Odili

The 2-term governor of Rivers state was initially said to have been involved in corrupt practices while he was a governor. He even got perpetual injunction from the Court from being tried. The NSA confessed he gave him N100 million out of the $2.1 billion arms money to Odili.

9. Attahiru Bafarawa

The former governor of Sokoto state between 1999 and 2007 was alleged to have soiled his hand also in the arms deal. Bafarawa was brought in for receiving over N100 million from Colonel Sambo during the life of the past administration. It was when the EFCC invited the former governor that Nigerians got to know of his alleged involvement.

10. Bashir Yuguda

On November 30, 2015, This Day newspaper captioned the PDP’s chieftain travails as “$2b Arms Deal: EFCC Grills Ex-Finance Minister, Bashir Yuguda.” 

Reports had it that the former minister was invited by the EFCC over his alleged involvement in the controversial arms procurement by former NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

11. Rashidi Ladoja

in Oyo state. He was alleged to have gotten his share of the national cake. According to information gotten, his party accused him of collecting N100 Million from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Accord party members told him