Arms deal probe controversy: Where the truth lies
By Suleiman Lawal
The Investigative Panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the procurement of arms in the country from 2007 to 2015 recently submitted its third report, amid mixed reactions from the public.
While some citizens have hailed the committee for what they see as yet another milestone, critics say the recent report was doctored to exonerate some individuals namely the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Y. Buratai. Critics argue that these men ought to have been indicted in the third report. Buratai had recently come under intense public scrutiny following revelations by Sahara Reporters that the army chief owns some properties in Dubai, U.A.E. The committee’s mandate however, does not cover Buratai’s tenure in office.
Dambazau on the other hand is being fingered by critics and opposition politicians as having been involved in shady deals during his time as the Chief of Army Staff. No concrete evidence has however been presented to support the allegation.
To understand the trend of events in these matters, it is important to take a critical look at all three reports presented by the committee and the findings therein. The first interim report which was released in late 2015 essentially gave an overview of the monumental amount of money that was embezzled. Most of the funds, meant for the procurement of arms in the heat of the war against Boko harm terrorists, were eventually traced to retired military officers, influential politicians, phantom contractors and others. Former National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) was largely blamed for misapplying and looting the funds.
The second report which was released early this year made astonishing revelations about the fraud that took place in the Airforce. Former Chiefs of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (rtd.), Air Marshal Mohammed D. Umar (rtd.) and Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd.) were indicted. They are currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The third interim report, which was just released, has become controversial because it covers the period during which Lt. Gen. Dambazau served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Critics wonder why many service chiefs were indicted in previous reports but Dambazau was given a clean bill of health.
Now here is the problem. On one hand, Dasuki was NSA from October 2012 to July 2015 and all the former COAS and CAS that were indicted in previous reports served during this era. These are Air Chief Marshal Badeh (CAS from 2012 to 2014), Air Marshal Umar (CAS from 2010 to 2012) and Air Marshal Amosu (from 2014 to July 2015). In the Army, the chiefs were Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (COAS from 2010 to 2014) and Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (rtd.) (COAS from February 2014 to July 2015).
On the other hand, all former NSAs from 2007 to 2015 (excluding Dasuki) were not indicted by all the reports released so far. They are Maj. Gen. Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar (rtd.) (2006-2010), Gen. Aliyu Gusau (March 2010 to September 2010) and late Gen. Andrew Awoye Azazi (October 2010 to October 2012).
Now if these NSAs were not indicted, it should therefore be no surprise that the CAS and COAS that held office during their era were also given clean bills of health. They are Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike (CAS from May 2006 to 2008), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (CAS from 2008 to 2010). In the Army, the chiefs during that time were late Lt. Gen. Luka N. Yusuf (May 2007 to August 2008), Lt. Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (2008 to 2010).
The question now is this: why should critics single out Dambazau for scrutiny? If the NSA during his time, Gen. Mukhtar, was not found wanting, why is it strange that Dambazau was not found with fault? If the CAS during his time, Air Chief Marshal Petinrin, was given a clean bill of health, why is Dambazau’s innocence being made to look special?
The issues around Generals Buratai and Dambazau are only but the most recent criticisms against the committee. From the moment its first interim report was released, interested contractors, politicians and ex-service men have continued to discredit the committee, calling for its dissolution. It was very clear from that moment that nothing that comes from it will be acceptable to some people. Different terms such as “witch hunting” and “revenge seeking” were ascribed to the committee in a bid to tarnish its image.
On contrary, however, it has become glaringly clear now that the committee has not only been consistent in its reports but has become the hallmark of the success so far of President Buhari’s war against corruption and ineptitude.
Firstly, the Chairman of the EFCC Ibrahim Magu is a product of the committee. His appointment came as a result of the excellent work of the committee (in which he has been a member). His appointment was announced at about the time that the first interim report was released.
Secondly, most of the funds so far traced or recovered in the on-going war against corruption are directly or indirectly linked to the work of the committee. Its findings as contained in the various reports are responsible for most of the on-going prosecutions.
Critics have continued to put clogs in the wheels of the committee in a bid to discredit it and compel the president to dissolve the panel. Yet no one has brought any credible piece of information to discredit its findings.
In a bid to taint the image of this committee further, a certain security agency reported to be working hand-in-hand with some of those being investigated has illegally detained a member of the committee, accusing him of collecting bribes on behalf of members. No one has been shown the money he allegedly collected and he is not being prosecuted due to lack of evidence. Yet he is still being detained despite a court order directing that he be immediately released for lack of evidence amongst other things.
If the on-going war against corruption must succeed, President Muhammadu Buhari must take the bull by the horn. He must do this by strengthening the committee. This he can do by continuously providing the political support it needs to succeed. He must also clear out all the fifth columnists in his government that continue sabotage his war against graft.
Suleiman Lawal, writes from Wuse Abuja.

Nigeria my country

I'm not surprised, I have never trusted the integrity of the present federal government. They preach virtues and practise vices.