More Trouble For Former NSA Over Hijack Of Defence Budget

Former national security adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.) might be in soup for allegedly hijacking the budget implementation of the military and paramilitary agencies in the country under the watch of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the weekend invaded the personal residence of Dasuki, impounded all the cars they met in his premises, and went away with what were described as “sensitive and incriminating materials including some arms and ammunition.”

If the information at our disposal is anything to go by, Dasuki may be arraigned this week on various grave allegations bordering on alleged intent to commit treasonable felony, arms running and money laundering, among others.

“It is true Dasuki may be arranged this week but I reliably gathered that he two is making a fast move to pre-empt that plan by challenging the invasion of his residence by the DSS operatives at the weekend.

“But barring all unforeseen circumstances, Dasuki would be arraigned on allegations bordering on intent to commit treasonable felony, money laundering running to several billions of Naira, gun running and other sundry issues,” said a security source.

A top civil servant in the Defence Ministry, who does not want his name in print, disclosed to one of our correspondents how Dasuki hijacked the budget implementation of the three forces that make up the military, along with those of the para-military agencies and all the security agencies in the country

According to him, it was not only the civil servants in the ministry that were not happy with him; even the top echelons of the military and the agencies who used to buy their arms and ammunition through the Defence Ministry but he came and stopped the practice.

“Dasuki was and remains the most powerful and influential NSA since that office was created. There is no way Dasuki would not be found alone in the purchase of arms for the military, including the controversial purchase of arms in the black market in faraway South Africa under Jonathan,” a security officer disclosed.

“Let me tell you, Dasuki was responsible for the purchase of every arms bought for the military in the ongoing war against terrorism. And not only that; he had what he called ‘soft approach’ where he was recruiting some Islamic clerics to reverse the indoctrination of terrorists arrested – all were under his command and even that ran into several billion of Naira.”

According to him, the leadership of the paramilitary agencies like Customs and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and those of the service chiefs, would be willing to disclose how their funds passed through Dasuki’s desk.

“I remember the Cold War between him and the then Defence Minister, General Aliyu Gusau, over the matter. If he had known, Dasuki should have let go of the purchase of arms,” the source said.

Leadership News