In one of the biggest corruption scandals being investigated by the current government, $2.1bn earmarked for the purchase of military equipment by the Goodluck Jonathan regime was diverted into private pockets. Several serving and past military generals have been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the scandal and some are in custody awaiting trial.
Yesterday, the Presidential Committee on Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces decided to extend its investigations to the tenure of three former chiefs of army staff. These include Lt General Dambazzau, Lt General Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt General Kenneth Minimah.
So far, the panel has summoned over 292 serving and retired top officers who worked with the three former army chiefs. This is in line with its mandate to look into procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment between 2007 to 2015.
During the course of its work, the committee has also asked more than 10 local and foreign companies to appear before it, including the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (Dicon).
Committee chairman Air Vice Marshal Jon Ode, has asked the Nigerian Army headquarters to direct all the officers to be present at the panel. Procurement overheads to be probed include ammunition for Darfur operation, supply of training kits and equipment; purchase of 16MG and 29 RPG and 10Grenade Launchers.
Other matters to be investigated include the repair of seven assault craft, the repair service and upgrade of 29 Suncraft, the purchase of 15 Freefall parachutes, buying of MRAP vehicles with maintenance containers, the order of radio technology equipment and the purchase of 10 armoured personnel carriers by Dicon. Also up for review is the purchase of 51 general purpose machine guns and the sustenance of Operation Zaman Lafiya, the procurement of combat equipment the purchase of bullet proof vests.
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