Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is
currently on trial for alleged mismanagement of $2.1 billion
arms funds, says he intends to invite former President Goodluck
Jonathan as his witness.
Jonathan has in the past condemned the charges against
Dasuki, claiming that there is no way the ex-NSA could have
stolen about $2.2billion funds for arms.
Dr. Jonathan said:
“We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought
lots of weapons for the army,” he said in a recent
interview at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom.
Speaking with The Nation correspondent, Mr. Ahmed Raji
(SAN), the ex-NSA’s counsel, said Dasuki wanted Jonathan to
testify in court on his behalf.
Raji said:
“It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-
NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will
serve the interest of Justice. It will be fantastic for him
to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a
disclosed and known principal.”
Another member of Dasuki's legal team said:
“With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical
thing for him to do is to see it through.
“We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it
will be bad.” But, in Raji’s view, a political solution will
be better than trial because of the “characters involved”.
He said: “But, frankly speaking, I pray for a political
solution to the problem because of the characters
involved.xx
“Both the accused and the government should embrace
a political solution to the problem.”
When asked if Dasuki was ready to proffer a political solution,
he answered:
“Why not? He is. He added:
”
I believe the President is very sincere. He wants to
reorganise Nigeria and he deserves the support of all.
“With a political solution, Mr. President will be in good
stead to overcome unnecessary distractions in order to
succeed. “I pray that everybody will key into his vision
and the economic challenges facing the nation.” Those
point of advising a political solution is that it will not be
“tidy” for Dasuki to mention all those who got money
from his office. Among them, said a source, are a
prominent traditional ruler in the North, who reportedly
got N500 million and a former Head of State. A source,
who spoke in confidence, said Dasuki’s defence team
was banking on Jonathan’s testimony. The source said:
“All is set for the defence of Dasuki, who is still insisting
on an open trial to let Nigerians know the beneficiaries
of the arms cash.
“One of those who may testify is ex-President Goodluck
Jonathan whose remarks in London appeared to be the
first phase of the war chest of the ex-NSA.
“You know the ex-NSA said he acted on Jonathan’s
instructions in disbursing some of the cash. And from
the look of things, the ex-President is now ready to
accept responsibility for whatever Dasuki did.
“We believe it has reached a level that Nigerians must
know what really happened, how funds were disbursed
and who got what. “This is why a secret trial is not a
viable option, with the way things are going.”
“So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to
appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth
it.”
Dasuki had on December 13, 2015 said he disbursed the funds
on Jonathan’s instructions.
The ex-NSA said:
“I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly
indicted and any statement may jeopardise my defence.
Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I
was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such,
I do not wish to make any further statement on the
matter.
“That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the
exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange
N10billion from the account of the Office of National
Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was
exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot
remember. The exact amount was delivered at my
residence.
“The money was for delegates that attended the
nomination convention for the PDP. Presidential
nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon.
(Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-I-
C) for distribution on the instruction of the President.
“Based on the statement of Director of Finance and
Administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu
Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually
given to them for official use.
“I also noted the
statement of Sagir Bafarawa whose company is Dalhatu
Investment in which he stated that he received the sum
of N4,633,000,000 from the account of the Office of the
NSA. I authorised the payment . The money was for
vehicles, motorcycles for youth empowerment and
women sent to Saudi Arabia. I got the proposal from the
President. I do not have the proposal; it should be at the
office in the Villa.”
Source: The Nation
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