Jonathan denies participating in alleged $2bn arms fraud

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November 20, 2015 10:56 AM

Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki has been accused of diverting the funds (about N337bn) but in his defence said that all transactions made by him were approved by Jonathan.

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has denied any involvement in the alleged laundering of $2 billion in funds meant for the purchase of arms for Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram.

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki has been accused of diverting the funds (about N337bn) but in his defence said that all transactions made by him 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,” Dasuki said via a statement on Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

However Jonathan, while speaking at a forum in Washington DC on Thursday, 19, said that his government never awarded any contract of $2 billion dollars, Premium Times reports.

“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,” the former president said at the gathering which was co-hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Dasuki was indicted by a panel which was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe arms deals conducted in Nigerian between 2007 and 2015.

READ: Buhari orders Dasuki's arrest

Buhari has also ordered the arrest of Dasuki and others involved in the alleged fraud.

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