FG to investigate $246m fresh arms deal
The Federal Government is investigating another $246 million contract awarded by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for supply of helicopters and tanks to the Nigerian Army, gathered.
Daily Trust
The contract was to provide arms and ammunition for use in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorist in the Northeast.
A source at the Presidency, who disclosed this to our correspondent yesterday in Abuja, said the items are yet to be supplied after payment of mobilization.
The source said that the Federal Government through the ministry of justice was going to beam its searchlight on the arms deal.
It was gathered that the equipments were not supplied because parties to the contract connived to deliberately violate arms regulations of numerous jurisdictions including the US, EU and Nigeria.
“The parties to the deal also lacked the pertinent license to trade in and supply arms to Nigerian government, so they connived to deceive government. Finally, it would appear that the parties did benefit from the illicit arms transaction to the detriment of the Nigeria government and people“, the source said.
According to the source, there appears to be serious and justifiable causes and the culprits should be brought to book, adding that parties to the fresh arms deal have assets in the Czech Republic.
The equipments paid for include 30 pieces of T- 72 tanks, 6 military helicopters (mi-24) as well as rockets and various types of ammunition.