President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved the investigation of 54 individuals over their alleged involvement in the arms procurement scandal.
The approval followed the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces from 2007 to 2015, released on Thursday.
A statement signed by the President of the Committee, AVM Jon Ode (rtd), said among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement.
“All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the Nigerian Army procurement activities during the period under review,” the statement said.
Those listed for further investigation are two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (rtd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (rtd); former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and three former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Me. E.O, Oyemomi.
Also, the CEOs to be investigated are Col. Olu Bamgbose (rtd) of Bamverde Limited; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Limited and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Limited.
According to the Committee, the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185, 843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49 respectively.
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