Over recent months, Nigeria has been embroiled in a high profile corruption case involving the diversion of funds meant to buy military hardware into private pockets. Former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki, who is at the centre of the scandal is currently in detention, alongside other senior members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Yesterday, however, the Nef deputy leader Dr Paul Unongo, said that Dr Jonathan should also be probed over the $2.1bn arms deal. Dr Unongo, who was power and steel minister in the Second Republic, said the former president should be jailed if found to have corruptly enriched himself in the scandal and refuses to refund his share of the loot.
According to Dr Unongo, the conduct of the former president in conceding defeat in the last general elections and helping the country avert an impending national crisis, should be taken into account though. He added that this act by Dr Jonathan should make his punishment mild if found guilty of stolen funds.
Dr Unongo said: “There are three points to make on the arms probe. The first is that Jonathan deserves special consideration for his contribution to the democratic culture in Nigeria and for enabling us to avert a national crisis by conceding defeat during the general elections.
"He also mobilised support for the present government, Jonathan was great in defeat and he is a hero for doing this. Secondly, if the anti-graft agency can prove beyond reasonable doubt that he diverted public funds and if Jonathan agrees to return the stolen funds, he should not be humiliated but he should be given due consideration.
“Thirdly, if it is proved by a transparent process that he stole the country’s money and he refuses to return it, then the law should take its course, whether he is a former president or not. He should be prosecuted and jailed as this is important in order to serve as a deterrent to others.”
In addition, Dr Unongo slammed Dr Jonathan’s advisers who have been justifying their roles in the alleged diversion of the arms funds based on the excuse that they acted under instructions from the presidency. He said Dr Jonathan’s advisers should be held liable for their actions because they had the opportunity to advise the president against any form of illegality.
According to Dr Unongo, Dr Jonathan’s advisers and ministers who were uncomfortable with his style of governance should have resigned their appointments if the president did not follow their advice. The former minister added that the federal government has not ordered the arrest of Dr Jonathan because the government was trying to be careful and abide by the dictates of the law in order not to be seen as dictatorial.
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