The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday questioned some top military officers indicted in the alleged $2.1 billion arms fraud.
President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the probe when his government discovered that the funds were diverted to other purposes by top officers during former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, whose office handled the arms purchases, is already facing trial.
Five Service chiefs and many other senior military and air force commanders have already appeared before the probe panel.
A second interim audit report by a Presidential probe panel had recommended further investigation of some serving and retired military officers linked to the arms fraud.
President Buhari last week directed the EFCC to carry out further investigations into the activities of such officers.
It was learnt yesterday that some of the officers on the list have started arriving the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to face questioning.
It was further learnt that some of the officers had begun showing up at the head office of the commission yesterday.
Those the president directed should face further investigation are former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and two former Chiefs of Air Staff – retired Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, and retired Air Marshal M.D Umar.
Others are Air Vice Marshal A. M. Mamu, Air Vice Marshal O. T. Oguntoyinbo, Air Vice-Marshal T. Omenyi, Air Vice Marshal J. B. Adigun and Air Vice Marshal R. A. Ojuawo.
The rest are Air Vice Marshal J. A. Kayode-Beckley; Air Commodore A. O. Ogunjobi; Air Commodore G. M. D. Gwani; Air Commodore S. O. Makinde; Air Commodore A. Y. Lassa; and Colonel N. Ashinze.
Military sources said the Services were ready to release those indicted to face prosecution, noting that the outcome of the EFCC investigation would determine the next line of action for the military authorities regarding those officers.
Leave a Reply