Ex-Nigerian presidential adviser pleads innocent to embezzling $2.1b, implicates former boss
Associated Press By Michelle Faul, Associated Press
1 hour ago
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Nigeria's former national security adviser pleaded innocent Monday to embezzling $2.1 billion meant to purchase arms to fight Boko Haram, and said some of the money was diverted on the then-president's order to try to get himself re-elected.

The former senior security official, Sambo Dasuki, said that part of the money — $47 million — was withdrawn from the Central Bank on then President Goodluck Jonathan's orders to pay delegates to nominate him to run for re-election as his party's candidate. Dasuki's allegation was submitted in a written statement before he was charged at the Federal High Court with 19 counts of money-laundering and criminal breach of trust connected to the disappearance of state funds.

Former finance director Shuaibu Salisu also pleaded not guilty. He allegedly told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that he collected $47 million and 5.6 million euros stuffed into 11 suitcases from the Central Bank at night and delivered it to Dasuki's home in November 2014, according to an officer at the commission. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to reporters.

Dasuki's statement said: "The money was exchanged (by the Central Bank) at $47 million and some euros ... The money was for delegates that attended the nomination convention for the PDP (People's Democratic Party) presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. Dudafa and ADC (aide-de-camp) for distribution on the instruction of the president." Warripamowei Dudafa, a special assistant to Jonathan, is wanted by the commission but is "now at large," according to the charge sheet.

The party conference chose Jonathan, who lost the election last March to former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari, in part because of Jonathan's failure to fight Boko Haram's Islamic uprising. On Jonathan's watch, the extremists took over a large swath of northeast Nigeria and held it for months before Nigerian and Chadian troops drove them out shortly before the elections.

Buhari has said thousands of people died because Nigerian troops were not adequately equipped to defend them from Boko Haram. Some 20,000 people have died in the extremists' 6-year-old insurgency.

In a related case, the High Court on Monday allowed bail equivalent to $1 million to media magnate Raymond Dokpesi of African Independent Television, who is accused of fraud for receiving $10.5 million from Dasuki's office — supposedly earmarked for weapons — to broadcast features favorable to Jonathan.

Dasuki, who had usurped the Ministry of Defense role in purchasing arms, has been detained by the crimes commission for more than a week despite a court order allowing him bail.

taoridi 1 hour ago 0 3
Nigeria has no history of punishing embezzlers. They know themselves; they are cult members. Nigeria definitely punishes anyone charged with treason, up to capital punishment. I bet Dasuki will evenctually be slapped on the wrist. That's it.

Daniel 2 hours ago 0 3
Shocked.. not really. I did get an email from Nigeria the other day asking for help to withdraw US funds by wire. But those funds were meant for basic food and medical care for Nigerians.

Todd M 4 hours ago 0 7
Corrupt Nigerians? Can't be.

none 1 hour ago 0 3
Well, who'd of thought ? What ? corruption in Nigeria ?? Well I never, I am amazed. Not.

taoridi 1 hour ago 0 2
So Jonathan bribed his way out for nomination.

Ray 27 minutes ago 0 0
Nigeria is likely the most corrupt country on the face of the earth. I sometimes question if there are any honest Nigerians.

maxheadroom 2 hours ago 1 9
Corruption, greed & ignorance, the bane of Africa.
More

[quote]Jay 1 hour ago 1 2
It doesn't take much to look up that Obama met with the new President of Nigeria who is known as a military dictator and member of a radical group. Only an article authored by a censoring Obama fan would leave out the many allegations of human rights violations that Muhammadu Buhari committed. To be a good liberal, one must think that censorship is a good idea when they censor the proper information.

Phillip 1 hour ago 1 3
The way Africans treat each other gives some insight into the way African Americans treat each other and everyone else around them.

Khd95:
By now mr cluesless ought to ve been picked up to answer questions na,





so that mama peace can surface one more time

Bitterleafsoup:


If so what is taking so long? Is the new President just as clueless on how to fight his war on corruption. He has been jockeying this office for 12 years he never had a plan on how to fight corruption? It sounds good when you say it, but even looking at the amount Buhari is spending on traveling is corrupt....

Bitterleafsoup:


If so what is taking so long? Is the new President just as clueless on how to fight his war on corruption. He has been jockeying this office for 12 years he never had a plan on how to fight corruption? It sounds good when you say it, but even looking at the amount Buhari is spending on traveling is corrupt....

captainflash:
a Haters and a wailer combined.

Khd95:
Wailer spotted

mr dasuki pls can u credit dis guy,he has been wailing for u team for the past months

EasternLeopard:
Buhari is scared of arresting Jonathan


Buhari is spineless

Bitterleafsoup:
Excatly, he won't do anything all this probing is for show and another way to distract Nigerians from the escalating downfall of the naira.

joseph1832:
Oh really? Is it today the Naira has been depreciating?

Bitterleafsoup:
JoJo how do you sleep at night?Your people are suffering and you are still cheerleading a pack of Chief government policy illerates