Armsgate: Panel invites more serving and retired officers

There are indications that the Special Investigative Panel on Arms Procurement by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, has widened its investigation as it has reportedly invited more serving and retired military officers.

Reports say the list of the affected officers has been sent to their units. The list is said to include some officers holding sensitive positions from 2007 till date. The panel is believed to have also invited some former Service Chiefs based on the facts and figures before it.

They are expected to share their experience and compare notes on the procedures in place while in the military.

A source close to the panel disclosed that anyone that had anything to do with procurement in the services was included, and that their interrogation will soon begin.

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“Many officers were involved in the procurement process in the services and as the panel members go through heaps of files, they discovered that the network of those who mismanaged procurement funds has grown over the years.

“We are beginning to see that a syndicate had been at work for many years, diverting funds meant for procurement of arms, ammunition and military hardware for the Armed Forces”, the source said.

Continuing, he said: “The input from some of the ex-Service Chiefs will assist the panel in making its recommendations to guide against such sleaze in the future.”

It would recalled that a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.) and  former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, are already facing trial over the $2.1billion arms deals, while a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal A.N. Amosu (retd.) and Col. N. Ashinze (Special Military Assistant to the ex-NSA are in detention.

 

 

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