Former President Goodluck Jonathan has risen in defence of his ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who is standing trial over alleged diversion of $2.2 billion arms cash.
In what appeared his first categorical statement on the arrest and subsequent trial of Dasuki and other personalities allegedly connected to the $2.2 billion cash, Jonathan said it was “impossible” for his former NSA to have stolen the said amount, considering his administration’s huge spending in the procurement of warships, fighter jets, and other military equipment and hardware, to prosecute the war against Boko Haram.
The former President broke his silence in faraway United Kingdom (UK), where he delivered a lecture on “Youth Entrepreneurship”, at the prestigious Oxford Union.
Hear him: “They said the National Security Adviser (Dasuki) stole $2.2billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion.
“We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?
“Yes, there were some issues. Yes, there are still corruption issues but some of it were over blown. I’d say exaggerated and they give a very bad impression about our nation. You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible.”
“Yes, there were some issues. Yes, there are still corruption issues but some of it were over blown. I’d say exaggerated and they give a very bad impression about our nation. You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible.”
While recognising the fact that further comments may be subjudice, since the case was before the court, the former President said it was important to allow the judicial process run its full course.
