Over N4b stolen by military chief, mansions, millions seized – ICPC boss
The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) revealed yesterday that a former military chief was under investigation for depositing N4 billion military budget into the accounts of his two companies to which he is a signatory.
But he said the trial of the affected officer was “strangely and perversely frustrated” by a recently retired High Court judge who allegedly decided to forfeit some of the assets to Federal Government of Nigeria while leaving the rest to the suspect.
The commission, he said, had also uncovered how a military contractor allegedly received N6 billion from the Nigerian Army in suspicious circumstances and in violation of extant legislation.
Besides, another N1 billion for security operations was allegedly diverted by some civil servants to four shell companies.
He described corruption as a major contributory factor to security challenge across the country.
He said about $15 billion has been squandered through fraudulent arms procurement deals in the last 20 years in the country.
Owasanoye spoke during the National Policy Dialogue on “Corruption and Insecurity in Nigeria” in Abuja, saying cases of job racketeering abound in the security sector.
He said: “At face value, insecurity is seen to be, and is sometimes treated as a matter requiring only a military response or reaction, but an in depth look into its possible root cause(s) shows that corruption is a major contributory factor to the continued existence and propagation of insecurity in the country.
“In fact, a clinical diagnosis of the insecurity menace in the country reveals that to effectively combat insecurity we require the collaborative efforts of security agencies (the military, intelligence, Police, Customs, Prisons, others), as well as Law Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Agencies.
“ICPC’s research and investigation findings on the subject matter show that public sector corruption, directly and indirectly, enables insecurity, and can sometimes complement it.
“Cases of job racketeering abound in the security sector, many of which are under investigation by the ICPC.
“There are also ongoing investigations into military contracts spending. Recently, ICPC arrested a military contractor that received over a period of less than ten years cumulative sum of about N6 billion from the Nigerian Army in suspicious circumstances and in violation of extant legislation.
“The Commission’s recovery of huge cash sums in local and foreign currencies, luxury cars, customized mobile phones, designer watches including three Rolexes as well as property documents from the premises of the contractor underscores the corruption that often attends military procurement.
“Some former military and security personnel are being investigated by ICPC and our sister agency for embezzlement of funds allocated to security.
“For example, a former head of one of the arms of the military in the twilight of his tenure deposited the sum of N4 billion from military budget into the accounts of two companies where he is beneficial owner and sole signatory.
“The proceeds were used to purchase properties in Abuja in the names of cronies and proxies. Some of the properties paid for by his service were also fraudulently converted to his use.
“ICPC’s prosecution of this high ranking officer to recover all the implicated assets was strangely and perversely frustrated by a recently retired High Court judge who decided to forfeit some of the assets to Federal Government of Nigeria and the rest left to the suspect.
“While the Commission has filed notice of appeal, this strange development aggravates an already bad situation and escalates insecurity and impunity.”
Owasanoye made more startling revelations in the presence of top military brass, including the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno.
He said plans to retool the Nigeria Police Force was being threatened by corruption.
He added: “Another case under investigation is theft of part of special intervention fund approved for security operations by some civil servants in the line ministry who transferred about N1 billion to four shell companies.
“A special investigative team under the leadership of NSA and ICPC recovered some of the diverted assets including state of the art building located in Abuja and over N220 million cash. Investigation in this matter is still ongoing. Nation
