$2.1B: We Will Hand Over Any Officer To EFCC – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has said that any military personnel serving or retired who is required to make clarifications for his or her role in the ongoing $2.1 billion arms probe would be released to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the interest of the country and national development.

Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar said any military personnel serving or retired would be handed to the EFCC for investigation

This was made know on Monday, January 4, by the acting director, defence information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, while reacting to reports that a top military officer had been in detention of the anti-graft agency.

He, however, denied knowledge of any serving officers being in the custody of the anti-graft agency for corruption related cases, but stated that the institution has zero tolerance for corruption which is responsible for the country’s underdevelopment.

General Abubakar reiterated that any official found wanting would be made to face the law because
the military as an institution of government is guided by the laws of the country.

His words: “The military is in support of the war on corruption. All military personnel, serving or retired can be invited by the committee in the interest of the nation.

“I actually don’t have the information that a serving personnel of the military is in custody of the EFCC. I am not a member of the committee so I don’t have that information but anybody serving or retired who is found wanting can be invited.

“Anybody can be invited by the committee or any other agency of government to shed more light on his action because the military is part of government institution. We are completely in support of the war against corruption because this is something that will help the country.

“More so, Nobody is above the law, the military like any of the government institutions operates within the provisions of the constitution. So whoever goes against the law must be held accountable to move our country forward.

“We are always in support of the war against corruption as we do against terrorism. Therefore, we will partner with any agency or organization on this. This is a national duty.”

Recall that The Nation reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its investigation into the $2.1 billion arms deal arrested a top military officer in connection to the deal.

The former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki has been in custody for allegedly pocketing the sum of $2.1 billion meant for arms procurement for the Nigerian armed forces.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh is undergoing investigation for allegedly collecting N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).