Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki yesterday dismissed all levels of allegations in the procurement of arms and equipment for the Armed Forces also saying he is not a thief as being speculated by President Muhammdu Buhari.
“For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former NSA guilty as charged,” Mr. Dasuki said.
The former NSA said the statement by the presidential spokesperson and former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, was nothing short of propaganda aimed at casting aspersion on his person.
In his statement, he said: “In a theatrical manner, the Presidency fed the public with many allegations against my person and yet to be named former public officers.
“To draw sympathy, the Presidency quoted some absurd findings, including extra-budgetary interventions; award of fictitious contracts; 53 failed contracts; payment for jobs without contractual agreements; non-execution of contracts for the purchase of four Alpha jets, bombs and ammunition.
“For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former National Security Adviser guilty as charged.
“The statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who should know better as a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a witness to history, was nothing sort of propaganda to cast aspersions on Dasuki.
He said he acted in the interest of the country and with the fear of God while in office.
He also said that contrary to the claim of the Presidency, he submitted a comprehensive list of arms procured to President Muhammadu Buhari before leaving office.
He said all contracts and payments were approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan.He added: “All contracts and accruing payments were with the approval of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. Once the ex-President approved, the former NSA paid. So, there was due process for every purchase in line with regulations guiding arms procurement for the Armed Forces.
Dasuki said the conclusions of the panel were presumptive, baseless and lacked diligence.
“It is laughable for the panel to assume that 4 Alpha jets and 12 helicopters were undelivered. In a memo to the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), referenced NAF/905/D/CAS of November 28, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Adesola Amosu acknowledged the receipt of the 4x Alpha jets attack aircraft and the helicopters.
“On 10/21/14, the Chief of Air Staff also confirmed the receipt of F-7 N1 aircraft combination of 250kg bombs and accessories at $2,894,000 with the cost of freight at $1,200,000. The same Air Force confirmed getting 2xTri Shield 36DG Tactical radars.
Dasuki declared that he was prepared to meet the Federal Government in court as he was prepared for trial to clear the air on the arms deals.
He added: “In order not to endanger the nation’s security, there are many salient issues and contracts which I cannot put in public domain. I am ready for trial on all these allegations in order to prove to Nigerians that I did nothing untoward in office. We will certainly meet in court.
“I have a lot to tell Nigerians but in the interim, they should not believe some of the allegations as the gospel truths. The good thing is that some of the key actors in the present administration were parts of the past process being viciously challenged.
“As for my tenure as the nation’s NSA, I acted in the interest of the nation and with utmost fear of God. I did not use the office for any self-serving agenda. I occupied the Office of the National Security Adviser at a difficult moment in Nigerian history when terrorism was at its peak and I am leaving posterity to judge me accordingly.”
Source:NigerianMornitor.com
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