According to reports, former President, Goodluck Jonathan approved a payment of $2.1 billion to Sambo Dasuki from the coffers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) during his tenure.
Jonathan approved NNPC’s payment of $2.1 billion to ex-NSA- Report
Dasuki reportedly received the said payments from the NNPC over a period of nine months during Jonathan's tenure and with the latter's approval.
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According to online news platform, The Cable, documents obtained by it show that Dasuki received the said payments from the NNPC over a period of nine months.
According to The Cable, the monies were disbursed as follows:
- $1 billion on March 27, 2014
- $200 million on April 9, 2014
- $600 million on May 5, 2014
- Another $200 million on May 5 following a request for $250 million.
- $100 million on January 12, 2015
The sums received by Dasuki were said to be separate from the sums budgeted for security by the Jonathan administration during that period.
The former NSA has been accused of laundering about N337 billion worth of funds meant for procuring arms for Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.
Dasuki however denied the claims adding that all the expenses he incurred on behalf of the government were approved by Jonathan.
“There was no contract awarded or equipment bought without approval from the then President and Commander-In-Chief. I am not a thief or treasury looter as being portrayed,” he said via a statement in his defence on Wednesday, November 18, 2015.
The claim was however denied by Jonathan during a gathering co-hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC, on November 19.
“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons. Where did the money come from? I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons,” Jonathan said.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to have arrested 20 officials who worked with Dasuki during his tenure.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also ordered Dasuki’s arrest.
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