The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested and interrogated the aide-de-camp to the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan over his role in the $2.1bn arms deal scandal.
The Nigerian Army has arrested and interrogated Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, the Aide-de-Camp to former President Goodluck Jonathan for his role in the arms procurement scandal.
Adegbe was arrested on Wednesday in Lagos and was taken to the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja popularly referred to as Abacha Barracks, where he was interrogated by some senior military officers.
It was also gathered that about seven other serving army officers were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at noon on Thursday for their roles in the arms deal scandal.
It was gathered that that the former ADC was undergoing a National Defence College course in one of the military institutions in the United Kingdom before his arrest. The former ADC was recalled and arrested by the personnel of the Military Police and Directorate of Military Intelligence on his arrival in Lagos on Wednesday.
The source added, “The former ADC to President Goodluck Jonathan has been picked up by the Army.
“The man was recalled from a National Defence College course he is undergoing.
“He was arrested in Lagos and taken to the Abacha Barracks in Abuja on Wednesday. He was interrogated by some senior military officers.”
The arrest of the officers marked the beginning of the EFCC’s investigation into the Nigerian Army’s components of the arms procurement scandal.
When our correspondent contacted the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, he said he did not have the information on Adegbe’s arrest, restating the support of the military for government policies to combat the menace of corruption.
He pointed out that anybody, whose name was mentioned in connection with the ongoing probe, was not above interrogation.
He added, “I cannot say whether he is arrested or not. But any person, who is involved in the arms matters, would be arrested.
“We are in support of the policies of the FG in tackling the menace of corruption in this country. We have said we will support the ongoing investigation into the diversion of public funds. We have to corroborate our stance.
“Whosoever is involved is immaterial. I don’t have such information now but whosoever is involved, we will support the relevant agencies to do their jobs. This is something that would be beneficial to the country.”
Checks at the EFCC revealed that Adegbe was taken to the Idiagbon House Head Office of the commission by a Lt.-Col and some lawyers whose identities were not disclosed.
The source said Adegbe was being questioned by the EFCC because his name came up among those said to have distributed some money to politicians.
“The former ADC is here. He came with a Lt.-Col, some lawyers, and maybe, those who escorted him here. He must be writing his statement,” the source added.
It was gathered that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had removed the Director of Military Intelligence, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Sa’ad, and replaced him with Maj. Gen. Tarfa. Tarfa was Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to Mali.
No comments:
Post a Comment