Former President Goodluck Jonathan in far away Washington DC,USA on Thursday, dismissed allegation of his government’s involvement in arms deal in the range of $2billion.
“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons,” Dr Jonathan was quoted as saying in a report in an online medium, Premium Times.
It was his first public statement on the probe of arms contracts during his tenure.
A presidential investigations committee into arms procurement by the administration said in its interim report that it found extra-budgetary spending to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component, all managed and supervised by the then National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.
But Jonathan speaking at a forum in Washington DC, according to the online report, said: “Where did the money come from? I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons.”
Dasuki had said in a statement Wednesday that all contracts and accruing payments were made with the approval of the President,saying:“Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment.”
Jonathan who spoke on “Presidential elections and democratic consolidation in Africa: Case studies on Nigeria and Tanzania,” organised by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said he found some of the figures which the Buhari government claims to be missing from the treasury or mismanaged unbelievable.
“Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures,” he said.
“When the president (Buhari) paid official visit to the US, there were some figures that were mentioned that I don’t believe.”
He cited the example of $150billion said to have been stolen by previous administrations.
“He didn’t say my government, he said previous administrations…$150 billion is not 150 billion naira. People play politics with very serious issues.”
On another $59.8 million alleged to have been misappropriated within a 12-month period while he was in office, he said: “In Nigeria, if you lose $59.8 million in a year, federal and state governments will not pay salaries.
“Of course we brought international audit teams, forensic auditors and they didn’t see that.”
The former president said he did not want to join issues with the new government. “I wanted to keep away from the public for at least twelve months.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is the result of your weakness that those looters that surrounded you while in office took to enrich themselves without your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteNow that you dismissed allegation of your government’s involvement in arms deal in the range of $2billion, the current administration will know how to dig out the truth of the looting money. These thieves have stained your personality. The wise thing is respond to any allegations against you so that Nigerians will know who are the thieves.
If the amount alleged to have been stolen is true, let us ask ourselves what was been used to run the nation. What is Nigeria's total annual income? Deduct the allocations to the states and the amount committed to excess crude oil account. You will know that the figures alleged to have been stolen does not make any sense.
DeleteThe past administration was not competent enough to know how money was made and from which sector so not surprised that all this different figures are being mentioned. The leakages was too much and uncontrolled
DeleteAllegations upon allegations. Where is the prosecution? This could only be as a result of lack of evidence. Anyone with evidence and no motive will smile to the courts.
ReplyDeleteThe fact of GEJ drunken problem is now out. He signed those bogus contracts under the influence of alcohol. PhD holder indeed, with the little we are seeing School Certificate holder is better
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the misinformed Nigerian.
DeleteThis administration is only seen on social & other unprofessional print/ electronic media. APC has till date not realised they are in power and not opposition- may be the long of slavetude in opposition. No impacf yet. APC should be felt than heard. You don't change the life of through social media
I think u are sick and filled with tribal prejudisms that refused to see the figures mentioned that it is unrealistically untrue, how much does Nigeria make? How much do they need to service all the arms of the government? Merde this Country is full of illitrates that refuses to add 1+1 to get the truth simply because they are filled with hates, tribalism and dishonesty.
ReplyDeleteNigeria is not a country. Tell them to let the Biafrans go... This is the only solution to the problems of Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. If we all go our different ways perhaps each country be it Biafrans or Odua or Arewa can manage their resources better. On the contrary, how many igbos are willing to sacrifice their investments in Lagos or places other than the east? You agitate for Biafra because you probably must have grown up and lived most of ur life in the Eastern part of Nigeria. The sad thing about this is that states with oil like Edo, Delta and other south south regions are not willing to be part of that movement. Anyway good luck in ur quest for Biafra Republic.
DeleteWho are the people that will lead you even if you go own separate way? Are they not going to be the thieves who are in power now. Let hold accountable now
DeleteMmmmmmmh so we Nigeria's have dis can of money? What we need now is Change oooo
ReplyDeleteI keep getting concerned by in informed persons who say when Biafra go they will loose their investments .how .do people not invest in other country .is MTN not a South African company in Nigeria .if we dismember this nation through a dialogue ,every one will go and build their home and their will be interdependence and mutual respect.Oil theft will go because they will know that they need oil money to buy maize from the north .the other alternative is to run a confederacy with a weak center ,economic power at the regions but military power at the center
ReplyDeleteIt is so shameful that the present administration is bereft of the minimum of intelligence. They planned for war in the case that they lose the election without any plan in case of victory. Just see them fumbling and opening their dirty and smelly mouths to talk a lot of rubbish instead of moving the nation forward. I am so ashamed to be a Nigeria in this dispensation.
ReplyDeleteIt is only a thief that will call looting nonsense. One died of hypertension, one is cooling off in UK Prison, one has suddenly turned old mama there is God oh!
ReplyDeleteWHETHER THEY LOOTED OR NOT. WHETHER IN NAIRA OR DOLLARS. ONE THING STANDS. WE ARE POORER AND ITS OBVIOUS IN NIGERIA AND IN NIGERIANS EXCEPT FOR FEW WE ALL KNOW WHO ARE THE THIEVES. SO LET US ALL RISE UP AND CONDEMN AND DEAL WITH IT BY DETERMINING OUR FUTURE. ITS SAD. THEY DO ALL SORTS AND GET AWAY WITH IT ALL. TOO BAD JONATHAN DEALT WITH US WITH HIS NEGLIGENCE AND REFUSAL TO LISTEN TO WORDS OF ELDERS. TOO BAD. GOD'S WRATH WILL BE ON THEM ALL. AMEN
ReplyDelete