Arms Deal: ‘Yes, I received money from Dasuki’ – ThisDay boss writes EFCC

Nduka Obaigbena, the chairman & editor-in-chief of THISDAY Newspapers, has confirmed reports that he received money from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

However, he explains that the funds he received were compensation for the twin Boko Haram bombings of ThisDay office in Abuja and Kaduna on April 26, 2012.

Nduka revealed this in a letter he sent to chairman of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in response to an invitation from the commission as part of the investigation into the $2 billion arms funds diversion.

The veteran publisher said he’s “currently in the United States of America on my way back to Nigeria to honour your invitation.”

He however, gave a breakdown of payments made to him by Dasuki.

Nduka stated that he received payments of N150,000,000, N150,000,000 and N250,000,000 in August, November and February 2014.

Also, sums of N100,000,000 and N20,000,000 were received in March 2015 for the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and 12 newspapers.

NPAN had “demanded compensation for the brutal and unlawful seizure of newspapers and stoppage of circulation by armed soldiers in Abuja and several cities,” and as President of the NPAN, he led other media giants in talks with President Jonathan to avoid slamming a lawsuit against the Armed Forces and the federal government.

Speaking on the initial 3 payments made to him by Dasuki, Nduka wrote: “I had to confront President Jonathan on the issue when I learnt of approvals for the reconstruction of the Abuja United Nations Building, since we were the second major organisation to be attacked by Boko Haram after the UN attack.

“He therefore directed me to meet the National Security Adviser who processed the 3 payments in question.”

Nduka also revealed that 12 newspapers were given N10 million each in March after soldiers seized newspapers in Abuja.

The EFCC expects Obaigbena Nduka to appear before it to explain why Dasuki paid N670million to his company-General Hydrocarbon Ltd.

The NSA paid N670million into a GTB account controlled by Mr. Obaigbena stating it was payment for “Energy Consultant” according to court filings against the former NSA.

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