PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Friday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former service chiefs and other people connected to the arms purchases scandal in the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and several others have been fingered in the scam.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said the President took the decision to investigate the former service chiefs based on the report of a Presidential audit committee which indicted the ex- military top brass.
Some serving military officers and 21 firms linked to the scandal will also be investigated by the EFCC.
The statement reads: “On the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army:
The 20 military officers affected are- Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), Air Marshal M.D Umar (rtd), Air Marshal A.N Amosu (rtd), Maj-Gen. E.R Chioba (rtd), AVM I.A Balogun (rtd), AVM A.G Tsakr (rtd)
Others are – AVM A.G Idowu (rtd), AVM A.M Mamu, AVM O.T Oguntoyinbo, AVM T .Omenyi, AVM J.B Adigun, AVM R.A Ojuawo, AVM J.A Kayode-Beckley, Air Cdre S.A Yushau (rtd), Air Cdre A.O Ogunjobi, Air Cdre G.M.D Gwani, Air Cdre S.O Makinde, Air Cdre A.Y Lassa, Col. N Ashinze and Lt Col. M.S Dasuki (rtd)
“Following the submission of the audit committee’s second interim report, President Buhari has directed the EFCC to investigate the roles of the officers and the following companies and their directors in fundamental breaches associated with the procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).