Still on the arms scandal

I could not believe my ears. Sadly, now I can confirm that it is true. South Africa’s City Press on October 7 2014 exposed the botched arms deal and the eventual seizure of $5.7 million belonging to Nigeria by South African authorities. Isa: Yes it is true.  I listened with amazement to the explanation from the […]

I could not believe my ears. Sadly, now I can confirm that it is true. South Africa’s City Press on October 7 2014 exposed the botched arms deal and the eventual seizure of $5.7 million belonging to Nigeria by South African authorities.
 Isa: Yes it is true.  I listened with amazement to the explanation from the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) who confirmed that it actually happened
Habiba: He said it was not illegal. He emphasized that a “business transaction” between a South African company and another company in Nigeria actually took place.” The NSA’s spokesman, Mr Karounwi Adekunle, said “In the course of events, the South African company could not perform and decided to refund the money. What is illegitimate in this transaction done through the bank?”
Chinyere: The NSA issued a veiled threat that “Nigeria provides the enabling environment for South African companies like MTN, DSTV and a host of others to do business unhindered. It is our hope that South Africa would reciprocate this noble gesture.’ What does this mean?
Ayo: It is not neat. The All Progressive Congress In a statement issued in Lagos on October 8 2014 by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said Government response was ‘’an untenable spin by untruthful government officials,” APC then ‘’slammed the federal government for issuing childish and immature threats against South Africa threatening its investments in the country, instead of addressing the pertinent questions surrounding the illegal arms procurement deals.”Mr. President, you cannot threaten another country when your Administration is wilfully breaking the laws of that country. Therefore, issuing infantile threats is laughable, unacceptable and wrong,” the party said.
Isa: It is alright to have the NSA defend the issue and declare it was a legal thing but APC raised some important issues.  It asked ‘’ President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address Nigerians on the serial embarrassments to which his administration is subjecting the country in the comity of nations, after another seizure of $5.7 million of Nigerian arms money by the South African authorities.’ wondering why the government would want to turn Nigeria to a rogue nation by taking ownership of money laundering and other acts of illegality.’
Ayo:  APC reminded the Jonathan Administration that ‘nowhere else does a government engage in illegal black market movement of money or arms – both signatures of terrorism worldwide, adding that only terrorists and pariah nations move money and procure arms in clandestine manners as the Jonathan Administration is doing”. How can Nigeria truly be a respected member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) when our own government and its operatives are self identified and self confessed money launderers?” APC queried.
The party wondered how many other unknown scandals the Jonathan Administration has plunged Nigeria.
Isa:  The reason adduced for the surreptitious arms deal is the desperation of the government to procure arms which its partners have denied it. ‘Nigerian government officials had on September 17 told the media that the administration opted for the controversial discreet purchase of arms in South Africa as a desperate measure after the American government allegedly blocked all legitimate arms order made by the military.
Chinyere: Am glad that the American Ambassador recently shed light on the difficulty Nigerian government is facing in of procuring arms. The American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, said cases of human rights abuses by Nigerian troops in the North-East in the past years have hindered Nigerian military’s request for arms purchase from the United States.
  Habiba: I read the Ambassador’s comment in the press. In addition to concern about human rights abuse by troops he stressed that welfare of the troop is equally important. He said “I would say as we support the military in the struggle against Boko Haram, obviously equipment is part of the equation but I think it’s more than that,” The Ambassador said. “It bothers me when I talk to soldiers in the North-East and they say they are in the frontline with only a few bullets.’ Ambassador Entwistle said “what’s more important is the basic needs of soldiers on the field, making sure … they are well trained and they have ammunition for their rifles. If you don’t focus on taking care of welfare of soldiers on the ground, buying hi-tech equipment does not solve anything.”
 Isa:  I am disturbed about government’s inaction on this scandal. It is impunity loud and clear.
Habiba: Nigerians are wondering if the funds being smuggled into South Africa by our government were appropriated by the National Assembly, or whether they are part of the missing $20 billion oil money?
Ayo: I am happy about the action taken by some university lecturers who have taken President Jonathan, the National Assembly and President of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Pastor Oritsejafor whose jet was used to ferry the money to court.  
Habiba: The lecturers, Dr Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, Dr Salisu Shehu and three others are from Bayero University Kano. In a 25 page suit, they want the first defendant, President Jonathan ‘to explain whether his claim of authorization of the transaction in question in violation of extant   domestic and international laws amounts to a breach of his oath and abuse of office. They want the President to explain why he decided to use a private jet belonging to Pastor Oritsejafor and why he opted for an illegal route for purchasing the weapons.’
 Isa: Clearly laws have been broken in Nigeria and in South Africa so it is imperative that action is taken. If government will not act, the courts will take action.
Ayo: We can cite Section 88(1)(b)(ii) and (2)(b) of the Constitution, and noted that the National Assembly is empowered by the Constitution to direct an investigation into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, with the duty of or responsibility for disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.
Habiba:  Let’s follow this up to its logical conclusion; meanwhile am off to attend a meeting of the #Bring Back Our Girls team.
 “What are we demanding?”…Bring back our girls, now and alive!
 “What is our singularity of purpose?”…Bring back our girls, now and alive!
“What do we want?”…Results from the rescue operation!
 “What are we asking?”…The truth and nothing but the truth!
 “When will we stop?”…Until our girls are back and alive!
Lucy: We are with you. May our girls return alive and well!