By Mudiaga Affe and Cajetan Mmuta
Elder statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s silence over claims of corruption in his government, saying it is an indication that the presidency supports fraud.
Adebanjo spoke against the backdrop of the claims by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, on Friday in an interview with BBC Hausa Service that funds running into billions of naira for the procurement of arms and ammunition under the immediate past service chiefs, were unaccounted for.
The Office of the NSA has since discountenanced the BBC report, declaring that the security chief was quoted out of context.
The denial came even as the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, said he never fiddled with funds meant to procure arms and ammunition while in office.
Despite the denial and rebuttal, more Nigerians, comprising lawyers and social activists, have called for investigation over the fund.Adebanjo, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday, said the President’s silence over allegations of corruption against top government officials indicated that he was in support of corruption.
Ayo Adebanjo
He said, “His people said he (Buhari) wants to wipe out corruption, but we have told them that corruption is worst under the Buhari administration. You recall how they said money meant for arms was misdirected during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, what is happening now? It is within them.
“Unfortunately, we have a President who does not talk. So much money has been voted for the purchase of arms and ammunition and money was even taken from our reserve funds. The whole thing is that law and order have broken down and nobody is saying anything and it is happening within the same cabinet and caucus. Who are we to ask? The only person that should address the matter is the President but he wouldn’t talk.”
The nonagenarian said the only way to curb corruption was for the country to return to true federalism.
Adebanjo said, “Until we return this country to a truly federal system, we are going nowhere. I thought they said it was the Jonathan administration that misdirected funds meant for the purchase of ammunition, so, what is happening now? With all these happening, the man at the helm of affairs is not saying anything, what kind of government is this?
“If the former heads of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida love this country, they should persuade Buhari to resolve the issue of restructuring now. It is the only solution to the problems.”
Also, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said if the allegations against Buratai were found to be true, the ambassador-designate should be made to face the wrath of the law.
Isiguzoro said, “It is unfortunate that a country that is in mess due to banditry, insurgency, and Fulani herdsmen criminality is still talking about missing funds meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition to tackle these challenges.
“To make matters worse, the man that is being accused has been appointed an ambassador of Nigeria to a foreign nation. If the allegations by the National Security Adviser are true, it is a clear case of breach of trust and it is a crime against the nation. You can imagine the thousands of soldiers that have died fighting for the nation, their blood will be on Buratai’s head.
“We, therefore, call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to critically investigate the claims against Buratai. He (Buratai) should be recalled from our foreign mission because it is a clear case of robbery if found to be true.”
Similarly, a former Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Benin branch, Douglas Ogbakwa said “The alleged missing funds of the military for arms procurement sums up the state of Nigerian security architecture ,which has seemingly been over ran in many instances by a ragtag militia called Boko Haram.
“To think that the allegation comes from no less a person than the National Security Adviser is mind-blowing, not minding the feeble recant of the National Security Adviser to the President.”
Describing the situation as “quite sad”, he added that it was an indication that the country is advancing in the reverse.
Another lawyer, Jefferson Uwoghiren, said the situation calls for worry among Nigerians.
He said, “Nigerians are worried going by the way that the war against terrorism is being prosecuted; they had earlier requested the removal of the ex-service chiefs and the government didn’t act fast about it then the National Assembly had to wade in.
Now, the NSA who works in concert with the Presidency and who is the topmost security aide of government had come to the conclusion of the paucity or lack of money or military equipment or diversion of military hardware; Nigerians who are in position should be very worried because we are not seeing the end of the allegations”.
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The leader, Edo State chapter of the Civil Society of Nigeria (CSO), Osaze Edigin said, “The rising level of insecurity in the country and inability of our security agencies to curb the same headlong can conveniently be tied to the corrupt practices by the security chiefs over the years.”
He explained, “The fight against insurgency and banditry is not what our trained military personnel cannot handle if not for the heavy corruption in the procurement of arms for the fight.”
“This is one probe that must not be swept under the carpet and all those found culpable should be made to face the law. It is serious national security threat and act of lack of patriotism to a country sworn to protect. The process of arms procurement should be monitored and new method should be adopted in order to avoid future occurrence.”
Popular activist and Chief Executive Officer of One Love Foundation, Chief Patrick Eholor, urged the President to set up a probe panel to examine the activities of the immediate past security chiefs so as to unearth the rot in the nation’s security architecture.
He said, “The details did not start today. The military generals are ready to fight war against terrorism but they (leaders) are spoiling the war. A panel should be set up and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) should be invited so that those in authority don’t sweep the probe under the carpet. This country belongs to all of us and is for us all.”
