The Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP) has written an
open letter to former president, Goodluck
Jonathan, listing some questions he has to
answer over the diversion of $2.1billion
meant for purchase of arms to fight Boko
Haram.
The letter dated January 8 and signed by
Adetokunbo Mumuni, the executive director of
SERAP, asked Jonathan to explain to
Nigerians what he knows about the arms
deal fund which was apparently diverted for
personal use, Premium Times reports.
The letter reads in part: “ SERAP is sending
you this open letter to seek explanations from
you, as former President and Commander-in-
Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, on what
you knew, or had reason to know on the
apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2
billion meant to purchase arms to empower
Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram.”
“SERAP considers that there is enough material
in the public domain to suggest that over $2
billion meant for purchase of arms to equip
Nigerians soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the
North East of the country was diverted and
shared among high-ranging government and
party officials under your watch as President
and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed
Forces.”
“Is it correct to suggest that the budget of over
$2 billion to purchase arms for Nigerian
soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North-East
of the country was authorised by you or your
office? In other words, did your former National
Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd)
seek your approval to collect from the Central
Bank of Nigeria the over $2 billion meant for
purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers
[ “If so, Nigerians would like to hear from you
whether the apparent diversion and sharing of
our commonwealth by your former NSA was
expressly or implicitly authorised by you.”
“Is it then correct to suggest that the former
NSA implements presidential decisions and not
make them? If so, is it also correct to suggest
that the apparent diversion and sharing of the
over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms was
a presidential-level decision and that you signed
off on it?”
“Is it not correct to suggest that your
Administration acted on the basis that it was
essentially unrestrained by international or
Nigerian law in engaging in or encouraging the
apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2
billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian
soldiers in order to protect them against attacks
from Boko Haram and to enhance their ability to
defend the territorial integrity of the country and
provide security for its citizens ?”
SERAP asked Jonathan what he did as
Commander-in-Chief and President to prevent
the alleged diversion and sharing of the
nation’s commonwealth.
It wondered if the apparent diversion and
sharing of the over $2 billion was due to
Jonathan’s failure to ensure that:
1. System was in place to ensure a
transparent and accountable spending of
budget for military operations in strict
accordance with the standards of
international law including the UN Convention
against Corruption.
2. That any such system was operating in a
continuous and effective manner.
3. That violations of the standards were
punished when detected by that system.
SERAP asked if the former president took any
action after the apparent diversion and
sharing of the over $2 billion was brought to
his notice
The statement reads further, “ Would SERAP be
correct to suggest that you, as President and
Commander-in-Chief, knew about the
authorization, apparent diversion and sharing of
the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for
Nigerian soldiers, in the chain of command
involving your former NSA and others?”
“Would it therefore be correct to further suggest
that your acts and/or omissions concerning the
apparent diversion and sharing of the over $ 2
billion were such as to give rise to personal
liability through command responsibility for the
actions of your former NSA and others who
worked under you?”
“Would you now, on the basis of the above,
apologise to Nigerians for the apparent diversion
and sharing of the over $2 billion and the
catastrophic consequences for Nigerian soldiers
and their families, including those who have lost
their lives; those unfairly tried and convicted;
and millions of displaced Nigerians?”
SERAP called on Jonathan clarify the issues
raised, adding that Nigerians were waiting for
his apology.
It also said the people have a right to pursue
justice through appropriate national and
international accountability mechanisms to
ensure that everyone involved in the arms
deal scam is brought to justice in accordance
with international standards of fairness.
A number of the Peoples Democratic Party
Chieftains have been arrested by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
over the arms deal scam.
Last Wednesday, a former military governor
of Kaduna state and chieftain of the ruling
All Progressives Congress (APC), Jafaru Isa
was arrested. He is the first APC chieftain to
be arrested by the EFCC since the beginning
of the arms deal probe.
Accountability Project (SERAP) has written an
open letter to former president, Goodluck
Jonathan, listing some questions he has to
answer over the diversion of $2.1billion
meant for purchase of arms to fight Boko
Haram.
The letter dated January 8 and signed by
Adetokunbo Mumuni, the executive director of
SERAP, asked Jonathan to explain to
Nigerians what he knows about the arms
deal fund which was apparently diverted for
personal use, Premium Times reports.
The letter reads in part: “ SERAP is sending
you this open letter to seek explanations from
you, as former President and Commander-in-
Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, on what
you knew, or had reason to know on the
apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2
billion meant to purchase arms to empower
Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram.”
“SERAP considers that there is enough material
in the public domain to suggest that over $2
billion meant for purchase of arms to equip
Nigerians soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the
North East of the country was diverted and
shared among high-ranging government and
party officials under your watch as President
and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed
Forces.”
“Is it correct to suggest that the budget of over
$2 billion to purchase arms for Nigerian
soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North-East
of the country was authorised by you or your
office? In other words, did your former National
Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd)
seek your approval to collect from the Central
Bank of Nigeria the over $2 billion meant for
purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers
[ “If so, Nigerians would like to hear from you
whether the apparent diversion and sharing of
our commonwealth by your former NSA was
expressly or implicitly authorised by you.”
“Is it then correct to suggest that the former
NSA implements presidential decisions and not
make them? If so, is it also correct to suggest
that the apparent diversion and sharing of the
over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms was
a presidential-level decision and that you signed
off on it?”
“Is it not correct to suggest that your
Administration acted on the basis that it was
essentially unrestrained by international or
Nigerian law in engaging in or encouraging the
apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2
billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian
soldiers in order to protect them against attacks
from Boko Haram and to enhance their ability to
defend the territorial integrity of the country and
provide security for its citizens ?”
SERAP asked Jonathan what he did as
Commander-in-Chief and President to prevent
the alleged diversion and sharing of the
nation’s commonwealth.
It wondered if the apparent diversion and
sharing of the over $2 billion was due to
Jonathan’s failure to ensure that:
1. System was in place to ensure a
transparent and accountable spending of
budget for military operations in strict
accordance with the standards of
international law including the UN Convention
against Corruption.
2. That any such system was operating in a
continuous and effective manner.
3. That violations of the standards were
punished when detected by that system.
SERAP asked if the former president took any
action after the apparent diversion and
sharing of the over $2 billion was brought to
his notice
The statement reads further, “ Would SERAP be
correct to suggest that you, as President and
Commander-in-Chief, knew about the
authorization, apparent diversion and sharing of
the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for
Nigerian soldiers, in the chain of command
involving your former NSA and others?”
“Would it therefore be correct to further suggest
that your acts and/or omissions concerning the
apparent diversion and sharing of the over $ 2
billion were such as to give rise to personal
liability through command responsibility for the
actions of your former NSA and others who
worked under you?”
“Would you now, on the basis of the above,
apologise to Nigerians for the apparent diversion
and sharing of the over $2 billion and the
catastrophic consequences for Nigerian soldiers
and their families, including those who have lost
their lives; those unfairly tried and convicted;
and millions of displaced Nigerians?”
SERAP called on Jonathan clarify the issues
raised, adding that Nigerians were waiting for
his apology.
It also said the people have a right to pursue
justice through appropriate national and
international accountability mechanisms to
ensure that everyone involved in the arms
deal scam is brought to justice in accordance
with international standards of fairness.
A number of the Peoples Democratic Party
Chieftains have been arrested by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
over the arms deal scam.
Last Wednesday, a former military governor
of Kaduna state and chieftain of the ruling
All Progressives Congress (APC), Jafaru Isa
was arrested. He is the first APC chieftain to
be arrested by the EFCC since the beginning
of the arms deal probe.
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