Politics
More troubles for Dasuki as EFCC probes N8bn counter insurgency funds
There seems to be no respite for the embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, as the EFCC has started investigations of the N8 billion released by the Office of the National Security Adviser for multi-national operations.
Reports have it that Dasuki; an ex-Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and a former Director of Finance in the ONSA, Alhaji Salisu Shuaibu, are being investigated over the fund released in March, 2014 and January, 2015 for counter-insurgency operations across Nigerian borders.
The probe, according to sources, is sequence to the third report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The EFCC sources also said the commission had started tracing how the funds were spent with a view to recovering it.
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The presidential committee had, in its report submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari in July, 2016, stated that “In March 2014, the ONSA made a case for the release of N1,000,000,000 to sustain offensive operations against Boko Haram insurgents across Nigerian borders. Although the amount was approved and released, the committee could not establish the utilisation of the funds.”
Continuing, the committee said: “Additionally, in January 2015, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs requested N7,000,000,000 to urgently fund operations of the Multi-National Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad, which was approved and released from ONSA. However, the committee could not ascertain the utilisation of the funds from ONSA and the Defence Headquarters.”
The source said those who got funds and could not account for how the money was used for counter-insurgency operations will be quizzed.
He continued that those involved would have to provide evidence to prove that the money was used for what it was meant for, adding that otherwise they will have to refund the money.
This will be in addition to being taken to court
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