Buhari’s 13-man panel to probe arms procurement under Yar’Adua, Jonathan

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NIGERIA: THE Federal Government has ordered probe into the procurement of major items of military weaponries, like tanks and missiles, during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and his successor, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

In this direction, a 13-man committee has been constituted following President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to the National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, to do so.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Security Adviser to

convene an investigative committee on the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now,” the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said in a release.

According to Adesina, the probe committee would “identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.”

The President of the investigative panel is retired Air Vice Marshal J.O.N. Ode, while Brig Gen Y.I. Shalangwa would serve as the Secretary.

Other members include Rear Admiral J.A. Aikhomu, Rear Admiral E. Ogbor, Brig-Gen. L. Adekagun, Brig-Gen. M. Aminun-Kano, Brig-Gen. N. Rimtip, Group Captain C.A. Oriaku and Air Commodore U. Mohammed, all retired.

Also to serve on the committee are Commodore T.D. Ikoli, Air Commodore I. Shafi’i and Col A.A. Ariyibi, and Mr. I. Magu of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

Among the procuments the panel is to look into, the GatewayMail gathered, may include the Senate approved $1 billion loan for arms to battle Boko Haram insurgents, $9.3 cash said to be for purchase of arms, but seized in South Africa, stealing of over 200 million euro by Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS) and the controversial weaponize contract of $466.5 million.

Similarly, it was further gathered that the committee would look into the case of a businessman who raised alarm two years ago under Jonathan administration over N3 billion contract for six units of K-38 patrol boats.  The boats were to be supplied to the disbanded PICOMSS.

“The establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service,” Adesina explained.
He added: “It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects of troops’ morale.”
“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment,” Adesina stressed.