MORE shocking
revelations have come on how huge cash estimated at $2billion meant for arms
purchase was allegedly diverted by key government
officials and politicians
during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.
A former
Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr.
Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) in 11 suit cases.
He said he
suspected that the cash might have been given to the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP).
He, however,
said as a civil servant, he was innocent because he only carried out
instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.
The Chief
Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, yesterday
ordered that Salisu be either arraigned in a competent court of law if there is
any basis for so doing or be released on administrative bail on terms to be
settled by the applicant.
It was also
discovered that N10billion was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
for gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The payment
of the N10billion was authenticated by former Finance Minister Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, who has said she transferred $322 million from the Abacha loot
to Dasuki, following instruction from Dr. Jonathan.
Salisu
opened up in a Statement of Witness/Accused he wrote under oath in the presence
of investigators of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The
statement was attached to the charges preferred against Salisu and filed in the
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in preparation for his arraignment
by the EFCC today before Justice H.Y. Baba and Justice P.O. Affen.
Salisu, who
said he did not benefit from all the slush funds from the CBN, said: “I could
remember on the 20/11/2014 , I was directed by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki to go to
the CBN and collect the sum of $47m in cash and the balance in Euro and the
directive was obeyed and the monies were delivered to the NSA in about 11 suit
cases.
“I
acknowledged the receipt of the money from the CBN which was handed over to
M.S. Dasuki.
“I think the
monies were meant for PDP. After delivery, I left, I did not see or know when
the money was distributed.
“I did not
benefit even one cent. The request for the funds was tag(sic) Special Services signed
by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki, addressed to the Governor of CBN.
“I did not
know the source of the money into our CBN Account. The foreign currencies that
I collected from the CBN were delivered to the NSA in his house, No. 13, John
Kadiya Street, Asokoro.”
The Nation
last night obtained memos of some of the curious withdrawals.
In a
November 26, 2014 memo to the Central Bank Governor(NSA /366/S), the former NSA
instructed as follows: “Further to our discussion, you are pleased requested to
provide the sum of $47m cash out of the N10 billion and the balance in Euro to
this office for special services.
“Mr. S.A
Salisu, Director of Finance and Administration, is hereby authorised to sign
and collect the amount. Please accept, Your Excellency , the assurances of my
highest esteem.
In another
April 10, 2015 letter, BPSD/CRC/ GEN/FMF/01/36 by the Banking and Payment
System Department, the CBN authenticated payment mandate of N10billion to the
ONSA for preparation for gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.
The letter,
signed by CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, reads: “In
accordance with your letters, Ref. No. HMF/FMF/082.F15276.7 and F.15276
respectively on the above subject, we forward herewith the following mandate
for authentication. Mandate Ref. FD/LP(9/4/2015)-N5,000,000,000 to National
Security Adviser Account No. 0029172241019, CBN; another N5,000,000,000 to
National Security Adviser Account No. 1014199287, Zenith Bank, K-City Plaza,
WUSE II Abuja.
“Purpose of
payment: “Being amount released to the Office of National Security
Adviser(ONSA) from the Signatory Bonus Account in preparation for the
forthcoming Gubernatorial / State Assembly elections as approved by AGF.
“The
Honourable Minister may wish to authenticate this mandate to enable the CBN
remit the fund.”
In a short
note to approve the request Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala simply said: “Authenticated” and
signed.
There were
indications last night that the EFCC may invite Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala “for
clarifications”. She has openly admitted that she released $322million to
ex-NSA Dasuki from the Abacha loot recovered.
“ We have to
find out from her whether or not due process was followed. She also needs to
tell the anti-graft agency whether such a release was appropriated or not,” a
source told The Nation, pleading not to be named because he is not authorised
to speak on the matter.
Justice
Ishaq Bello yesterday ordered that Salisu be either arraigned in a competent
court of law if there is any basis for so doing or be released on
administrative bail on terms to be settled by the applicant.
This
followed an application for the enforcement of Salisu’s fundamental human
rights by his counsel, A.U Mustapha.
Mustapha had
sought for a declaration that the “ arrest and continuous detention of Salaisu
by the EFCC from November 20, 2015 constitutes a gross volation of the
applicant’s rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement respectively
guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
“A
declaration that the arrest and continuous detention of the applicant in
custody without any charge since November 20 with a view to denying him freedom
of movement as guaranteed by 1999 Constitution and .article 10(1) of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights( Ratification and Enfircement) Act
Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria is accordingly unlawful,
unconstitutional and illegal.
“An order
directing the the EFCC to release the applicant forthwith without any
condition.
“An order as
the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the
application.”
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