Buhari orders EFCC to prosecute three former chief of air force staff and 14 other officers

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate 17 serving and retired military officers over their role on the infamous Dasukigate scandal after report indicated they might have cases to answer.

 

A few months ago, President Buhari set up a committee to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the armed forces and defence sector from 2007 to 2015. This committee has now submitted its recommendations, which upon reading, President Buhari has directed the EFCC to look into the affairs of the named officers fir any cases of misconduct.

 

Among those to be investigated are the former chief of defence staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the former chief of air staff Air Marshal Mohammed Umar and another of his predecessors Air Marshal Adesola Amosu. Nigerian Air Force generals are particularly under investigation for their role in the purchase of helicopters.

 

Officers to be investigated include:

 

(1) Air Chief Marshal AS Badeh (Rtd)

(2) Air Marshal MD Umar (Rtd)

(3) Air Marshal AN Amosu (Rtd)

(4) Major-Gen. ER Chioba (Rtd)

(5) AVM IA Balogun (Rtd)

(6) AVM AG Tsakr (Rtd)

(7) AVM AG Idowu (Rtd)

(8) AVM AM Mamu

(9) AVM OT Oguntoyinbo

(10) AVM T Omenyi

(11) AVM JB Adigun

(12) AVM RA Ojuawo

(13) AVM JA Kayode-Beckley

(12) Air Cdre SA Yushau (Rtd)

(13) Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi

(14) Air Cdre GMD Gwani

(15) Air Cdre SO Makinde

(16) Air Cdre AY Lassa

(16) Col N Ashinze

(17) Lt Col MS Dasuki (Rtd)

 

Following the submission of the audit committee’s second interim report, President Buhari has asked that the roles of the officers and several companies and their directors be looked at. Companies and directors listed included Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux, Himma Aboubakar, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services, Syrius Technologies, Dr Theresa A. Ittu, Sky Experts, Omenyi Ifeanyi Tony, Huzee Nig, GAT Techno Dynamics, Gbujie Peter Obie, Onuri Samuel Ugochukwu, Spacewebs Interservices, Oguntoyinbo Tayo, Oguntoyinbo Funmi, Delfina Oil and Gas, Chief Jacobs Bola, Mono Marine Corporation, Geonel Intergrated Services, Sachi Felicia, Mudaki Polycarp and Wolfgang Reinl.

 

Breaches identified by the audit committee include non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act. Furthermore, the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterised by irregularities and fraud.

 

In many cases, the procured items failed to meet the purposes they were procured for, especially the counter insurgency efforts in the northeast. In one instance, helicopters were purchased which were not only bought at exorbitant costs but the machines were not suitable for use by the Nigerian Air Force.