Over recent months, investigations have shown that several leading military commanders were involved in the Dasukigate scandal in which money meant for equipping the military was diverted into private pockets. Apart from the fact that former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki, handed out cash to government officials and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apparatchiks, military officers are also accused of corrupt practices.
Air force officers in particular are accused of not only buying sub-standard equipment but also of purchasing hardware at highly inflated prices. In response to the embarrassing revelations, the Nigerian Air Force has fired some commanders. In addition, about four senior officers, including, air vice marshals and commodores have been placed under house arrest at Niger Barracks in Abuja, ahead of the completion of interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Also, a former service chief, who was allowed to go home has been re-arrested and detained since and may remain in detention for about two more weeks. Recently, the director of military intelligence, Brigadier Mohammed Sa’ad was sacked over his alleged involvement in the $2.1bn arms scandal.
In addition, the wife of the immediate past chief of air staff, Lara Amosu has been arrested by EFCC operatives in connection with the raging arms procurement scandal. This was after her husband was arrested a fortnight ago by the EFCC over his involvement in the diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms.
Apparently, Mrs Amosu has been in the custody of the EFCC in Lagos for the past week following the alleged discovery of about N3bn (£10.33m) in her bank accounts. Also, properties traced to her husband were also being held by his wife and children.
One EFCC source said: “Shortly after Air Marshal Amosu was picked up in Abuja, his wife, Lara, was subsequently arrested. Investigations showed that some of the monies the former chief of air staff made through some contracts and procurements in Nigerian Air Force were traced to his wife’s accounts.
“About N3bn was traced to the wife’s accounts while some assets acquired by the former service chief were in her name and some others in her company’s name. So, Lara is an accessory to a crime as the proceeds with her are from the arms funds, so as we prosecute her husband, she must also be held accountable.”
It is believed that that the EFCC retrieved $1m in cash from Air Marshal Amosu’s residence in Badagry, Lagos State. After a thorough search of the residence, a fresh small soakaway pit was discovered in the compound and EFCC operatives decided to open it after which they found the cash inside.
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