The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started an investigation of former government officials in relation to an alleged $2 billion illegal arms deal. In August, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the National Security Adviser to convene an investigative committee on the procurement of arms and ammunition in the Armed Forces from 2007 till date. A 13 man panel was set up to specifically investigate allegations of the acquisition of sub-standard equipment and failure to follow due process in the purchase of weaponry.

By November, the investigative committee submitted an interim report to the president with an order for the arrest of those found guilty in the arms scam. In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, it was purported that the investigative committee found out several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions which amounted to $2.2 billion, and involved the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

To this effect, the president “has directed the relevant organizations to arrest and bring to book, all individuals who have been found complicit in these illegal and fraudulent acts.’’ Here are the allegded culprits in the arms deal.

  1. Sambo Dasukimohammed-sambo-dasuki

Prior to his arrest by the EFCC, in connection with the fraudulent arms deal, Dasuki had already been under house arrest for three weeks. In custody, Dasuki reportedly refused to write a statement, he maintained that he had been “subjected to a media trial”. However, according to The Nation newspaper, he has started listing his accomplices (which includes ex-governors and some PDP chiefs) in the fraudulent deal.

  1. Raymond Dokpesidokpesi

Dokpesi, the founder and owner of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM was arrested on the 1st of December in connection to the arms purchase scandal. Dasuki reportedly paid a sum of N2.1 billion to Dokpesi. However, in a statement, the AIT chairman clarified that the N2.1 billion was a payment for publicity and media political campaigns during the 2015 elections. He also maintained that the transaction was based on contractual requirements.

  1. Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawaattahiru-bafarawa-e1448001872818-1024x563

Bafarawa was the governor of Sokoto state between 1999 and 2007. He allegedly received a  sum of N4.6 billion through his son Sagir from the office of the NSA.  He was also arrested by the EFCC on the 1st of December.

  1. Bashir Yugudabashir yuguda

The former Minister of State for Finance reportedly received a sum of N1.5 billion from Sambo Dasuki through an anonymous company for unspecified reasons.

According to Sahara reporters, Peter Odili (former governor of Rivers State) and Bode George (a top member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party), received N100 million each from Dasuki. The money was supposed to be used to ensure the re-election of the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who eventually lost to Buhari during the Presidential elections this past March.

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