The Presidency, yesterday, finally opened up on the controversy surrounding the seizure by South Africa of Nigeria’s $15m meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigeria Intelligence Service.
On September 5 this year, two Nigerians and an Israeli national attempted to smuggle into South Africa $9.3m cash conveyed in a chartered private jet which was seized by the South African authorities. About three weeks after, another $5.7m was seized when a South African company that was contracted to help purchase the arms by an Abuja based company tried to pay back the money.
Speaking on the seizure, yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Communication, Dr. Doyin Okupe, explained why the government has been silent on the issue.
Okupe said, “The Nigerian government cannot share all information about the issues because it is a security matter. It is an issue which we cannot just bring to pubic domain. For goodness sake, we need to have some quiet innocent support. I am surprised that Nigerians want to discuss security issues openly and publicly when a war is still going on.
“These are very serious national security affairs and running a government is not the same thing as running a Shoprite, where everything is on the table and on display. There is nothing shady about the South African deal and the Office of the NSA has done very well because at the appropriate time, they came in that, ‘yes, this money belongs to us and this was what it was meant for;’ that explanation itself was okay. There is no hanky panky on this matter.”
He also stated that the second controversial deal has legitimized the first because it was a normal banking transaction.
Okupe said,“A company was mandated to do a national security assignment for the Federal Government of Nigeria and because of the extant laws in South Africa, that company was unable to deliver its contractual agreement with the Nigerian government; the company now wants a refund which is normal.”
The presidency also exonerated the national president of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor from alleged involvement of his aircraft in the controversial $9.3m arms deal in South Africa.
Okupe noted, “the linking of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is the most unfortunate thing; to put the very respectable, responsible, honest and sincere President of CAN in this matter is the extreme of mischief. It just shows you what Nigerians do, they go to any extent to politicize everything. What bothers me here is the manner with which people want to bring down Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on this matter. It is pure absurdity.
“Oritsejafor has no business in this matter. It is true that he owns the aircraft but there are over 200 private Nigerians who have jets. Apart from those who use it frequently, some give it out to get some money and defray some of the costs. If you put your jet down, you pay money and parking charges everyday. He gave the private jet to a company to manage. The company is handling it and these people gave out the plane that is available.
“What has this to do with Oritsejafor? If I have many cars at the airport and decide to give one to car hire services and he decides to carry somebody having Indian hemp, will you link it up with the man who gave it out? Excuse me, this is ridiculous.”
The presidential aide then advised Nigerians to stop playing politics with every issue of national concern saying it is not in tandem with patriotism. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
A hand work of APC! They politicize all national Issues
ReplyDeletestory story....!
ReplyDeleteFunny man. What air did he clear now ?
ReplyDeleteHe clear so many things,our people are dying everyday.what do we Nigerians really want,you people will complain of no security now what will the security needs to fight back hands? Rich men acquired weapons in there house in case,then if really Christians want to get any weapon for protection is it bad.the guy is right you don't have to discuss security matters publicly
DeleteOKUPE OR WHATEVER YOU CALL YOURSELF, YOU AND YOU OGA JONA ARE FOOLS, TELL ALL YOU ARE SAYING TO DOGS, TO ME YOU ONLY COME TO CLEAN ORISAGIFOR, WE ARE NOW WISER IN THIS COUNTRY WE ARE NOT BABIES, A RESPONSUBLE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DO NOR SAY WHAT YOU ARE SAYING
ReplyDeleteVintage Okupe. Just hear him? Who is sneaking politics into all this now? What does Okupe mean the Pastor has no business in the business his aircraft was rented to carry out? I agree with my fellow anonymous above; Doyin Okupe, go tell your fairytale to the dogs, cos not even a kindergarten picnic will give it thought. The NSA should be answering questions; why was it procuring arms? Why were the arms so clandestinely being procured? Why that whole cash, some loot, heh? What was the loot doing in the private jet of a reigning Christian umbrella leader? ANd why has the loquacious Asari Dokubo's name surfaced? He made further noise 'from Saudi Arabia' about his innocence, boasting about his international passport having no SA visa of recent; who knows how many passports Asari has? Did he not vow that there will be war in the country if Jona fails to win in 2015? Was he peradventure disguised as (maybe a Bishop this time?) when he went on that jet? Could this foiled bid have been partly in readying his army of thugs to raise dust should jona lose in 2015? What he fails to understand is that Nigerians are used to war; our fathers fought a war of unity, now our brothers and sisters are fighting a war against insurgency. Asari's war surely cannot be worse that Hitler's war? Okupe has ran out of lies and is now trying to sneak politics into a purely criminal matter. He should shut up or he will be putting Jona into further trouble.
DeleteSincerely,it's not okay for we Nigerians to have jumped into premature conclusions, especially when we were yet to gather facts. I'm guilty of this too. I've heard of how the US refused to sell arms to Nigeria and how they also frustrated other attempts to purchase from other countries. This probably stimulated the attempted illegal purchase of $9.3million. The second seizure of $5.7million which was actually wired respecting standard rregulations being seized was enough to make Nigerians open their eyes and ask certain questions.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the presidency that issues like this should not be debated publicly. No country does this,not even the US. It is clear that there's more to the terrorist attack on Nigeria than are made to see. Nigerians need to forget about politics in this issue. The APC's stand on all this is supposed to give usgreat concern. You do not destroy a whole nation all bbecause you want to govern it at all cost. If that becomes the case,then I rather throw my votes to the dogs,rather than support this rape of my dear country in broad daylight.
Black is black nd white is white its often being said! D point is Govt of d people nd 4 d people shld be ready 2 defend its self wen serious matters botherg on her trust arises, but wth transparency I advise, nd after careful investigation nd re found guiltless, then her citizens 'll trust in their leadership. Gone re d days of manupulation, as we all know Nigerians re lookg 4 qualitative leadership nd nt a vis-a-vis. Our former president I believe has learnt frm past mistakes dat only truth nd equity can move dis country out of its present predicarement. If U're begging him, see u re begging frm a sincere heart or otherwise it's not again 'business as usual' know dat Nig nd Nigerians must survive. Nigerians must reject all leaders be it present or past wth bad records 2 show 2 d world our seriousness in movg dis great country 4ward nd make it a better place for our generatn nd gerations 2 come. Thank u!
ReplyDeleteThis man has not said anything to convince me and he went further to say that CAN presidend is respectable, responsible, honest and sincere within the Presidential Govt. cabinet
ReplyDeleteDoyin knows the truth but decided to speak politics. If not, why did it took FGN this long to come out and speak concerning the issue based on the tempo of the Nigerian reaction towards issue. FGN is hiding under security challenges currently facing the nation to silence a lot of issues.
ReplyDeleteBullshit! hiding information for Nigerians then to reveal the said information to who? Okupe is a born lire, just don't worry, very soon you will soon be sacked like others.
ReplyDeleteIt is only God that exposed Ayo Oritshejafor and that is the Genesis, very unfortunate Nigeria has a lot of fake men of Devil like Oritshajafor. Useless people.
Yemolala you are even more useless than the devil himself. you bastard from a prostitute mother, you think from your anus and comment like a pig! all u maggots acting like you idiots your end is near, you dare not insult a man of God next time in your miserable life. Oritsejafor owes no apology to any maggot or pig, when ur book haram and all you sponsoring are busy killing Christians who are they explaining to? useless idiots
DeleteYou are a MORON, who is a man of God? do you all know that the CAN president was a convicted armed robber, he was later pardoned, so you are a fool, know something before you talk.
DeleteIsn't there an established protocol on such acquisition? It's such hollow public statements as dis one dt breeds more suspicion and disrespect for dis govt! Indeed, "what air has he cleared"?
ReplyDeleteHahaha hahaha. Explanation for for the gullible! Sorry for my country.
ReplyDeleteAPC is frustrating every effort govt is putting in place to fight Bokoharam, this is one of them. Another was instructing their members in both houses of senate & Rep not to support the approval of 1Billion Naira to purchase arms to fight insurgence.
ReplyDeleteOga. Are u saying APC is stronger than the govt in power ???
DeleteFG should put its house in order.The truth is people have lost confidence in this government. We don't believe what the government say anymore because of its antecedent...
ReplyDeleteI would rather suggest that we are careful with our comments. A number of issues are way beyond our understanding and we cannot make the country great by fighting or ridiculing our leaders. I am of the opinion that we should constantly pray for them.
ReplyDeleteThe truth will come to the open soon.
Are u insane. WE should be praying for thieves, currupt people. I know u will do more than this if opportunity is given to you
DeleteYou are a fool you heard that the USA refused to sell arms to Nigeria and you believe. Is the USA only country that sells arms. Arms that the terrorists, thiefs, robbers, militants and kidnappers were able to purchase is what Nigeria were not able to purchase. Can't you ask yourself the one the police and army are using since and now, how did they get it. They one the military are using right now to fight the boko haram how did they get it. Can't you use your common sence to know that there's more to the seized money than what we are told. Every time the government mess up, you guys blames APC and the government continue messing up and you guys continue blaming APC. And they will continue messing up and you will continue blaming APC.
ReplyDeleteThe arms deal brouhaha is unfortunate. The President and his advisers are careless with National issues. They should have known by now that the opposition will always be on the look out for the government to commit mistakes and capitalize on same. I feel the arms deal was not well handled. It is a fact that governments all over the world engages in some practices that are shrouded in secrecy and had the citizens heard about such dealings, they would have called for the head of the sitting president! Remember, the United States was recently embarrassed by revelations that they were tapping to phone lines of renowned leaders around the world and listening to their private conversations!!!. So, governments all over have "shaddy deals" going on. Only the wise keeps it low profile. In our own case, the government got it all wrong. "You are not a thief until you are caught red handed stealing from the pot of soup".
ReplyDeleteI can understand how someone will be blaming SOCIAL for influencing America and South Africa not to sell arms to Nigeria, l don't think they knew d implications of dis statement on d government of d day. It simply shows dat dey are incompetent if an opposition party can over shadow a sitting government in d commity of nations. Come of it, dis is purely foreign policies deficiency. A govt dat failed at home and abroad is worthy of our vote. Thank u
ReplyDeleteNaija...must we no everytin that is going on blaming abusing condeming is not the solution....too no is killing us in this country and with this we can not move forward anybody who think he is wise is a big fool...even if APc take over today they can not take the price of petrol back to #12
ReplyDelete!!!!!! If I have many cars at the airport and decide to give one to car hire services and he decides to carry somebody having Indian hemp, will you link it up with the man who gave it out? Excuse me, this is ridiculous.”!!!!!
ReplyDeletei copied the above statements from the man that said he wants to opened up over the south africa arms deal.
when a stolen car is used for an illegal acts , the police most times go for the real owner of the car instead of the people that committed the illegal acts. so i think he is not been candid on that.
this made me to look at him with one eyes open and the other closed . the truth on the arms deals are yet to surface trust me, when one of these men decamp he will come on air to say what actually happened. this arms deal is it a private deal, how come SA dont know anything abt this deals b4 the cash was moved to SA. who are those that put money laundering law. pls gov should stop making laws they surely know they will break.