By Ayeotan Shola
President Buhari as extended the Probes of corruption in The Nigerian system to The Doorstep of the Late Umar Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations in a comprehensive investigation into procurement of hardware and munitions under their administration.
The scale of probes and the war against corruption extended to the military circle, yesterday, as President Muhammadu Buhari ordered for comprehensive investigation into procurement of hardware and munitions under former Presidents Umar Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations.
The period under probe covered 2007 till May 29th, 2015 within which two former Presidents, the late Yar’Adua and Jonathan, both of them without military backgrounds presided over the affairs of the country.
The period excluded 1999 till May 29th, 2007, during which former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also a former military head of state, presided over the country.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari directed the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno “to convene an investigative committee on the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now.”
The terms of reference of the 13-member probe committee headed by Air-Vice Marshall J.O.N. Ode (rtd.) as Chairman, include among other things, to investigate irregularities in procurement, allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment, procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches.
The directive states that, “The investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.
“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 explained that the establishment of the investigative committee was in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service.
“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 North-East, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects of troops’ morale,” he said.
Accordingly, the National Security Adviser has constituted the Investigative Committee as follows: AVM J.O.N. Ode (rtd.) – President; R/Adm J.A. Aikhomu (rtd.), R/Adm E. Ogbor (rtd.), Brig Gen L. Adekagun (rtd.), Brig Gen M. Aminu-Kano (rtd.), and Brig Gen N. Rimtip (rtd.) as members.
Other members of the body include: Cdre T.D. Ikoli, Air Cdre U. Mohammed (rtd.), Air Cdre I. Shafi’i, Col A.A. Ariyibi, Gp Capt C.A. Oriaku (rtd.), Mr. I. Magu (EFCC) and Brig Gen Y.I. Shalangwa as Secretary.
