ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Ibrahim Magu has revealed that former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan has not been arrested in connection with the Dasukigate scandal because they have no document indicting him.
Over the last year, several members of the former regime have been arrested as the EFCC investigates the scandal under which $2.1bn meant to purchase military hardware was diverted into private pockets. Several senior military officers and government functionaries now face charges as the EFCC builds its case against them.
At the centre of the scandal, former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki, is charged with being the one who dispersed the funds. However, it has been claimed that he was only acting under orders from Dr Jonathan and should not be held responsible for carrying out instructions passed on from above.
In response, Mr Magu said that no document has been traced to Dr Jonathan giving any approval for the disbursement of the money for any other purpose than arms purchase. He further noted that all those questioned so far in connection with the money were people who disbursed or collected it for reasons other than the purchase of arms and ammunition.
Mr Magu added: “All approvals by former president Jonathan did not mention that it was for political purposes. All the memos approved by him was for the purchase of arms.”
He pointed out that Jafar Isa who was arrested for receiving N170m from Col Dasuki has already refunded N100m and signed an undertaking to refund the balance. However, he added that despite the refund, Mr Isa would still be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, there are indications that some other prominent Nigerians might soon be invited by the anti-graft agency. According to sources close to the EFCC, the people on the list include Chief Tony Anenih, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Chief Olu Falae, former Oyo state governor, Rasheed Ladoja and a few others.
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