Looted Billions: CISLAC, TI Reiterate Worries over Corruption in Defence Procurement

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) Chapter in Nigeria have expressed worry over the unattended corruption that has constantly marred defence procurement.

The Executive Director, CISLAC/ Head of Transparency International (TI) Chapter in Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) said these in reaction to the recently uncovered billions of naira and other luxury items from the home of a military contractor.

The home of the contractor, K. Salam Construction Company, was raided by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.

According to Musa, “while the nation’s Defence spending has hitherto been buried in absolute secrecy and institutionalised corruption that impede efficient services and nation’s security, the fact-finding as detected by the anti-graft institution, has indeed validated the persistent public outcry by CISLAC/TI Nigeria for transparency and accountability in Defence procurement and spending.

“We without doubt observed that the ongoing exposure is not unconnected to other entrenched symptoms of unquantified level of systemic corruption dominating Defence procurement and spending like unaccounted funds as approved for the procurement of weapons and frequent denial by successive security chiefs of the existence of weapons.

“Diversion of Defence and Security funds to private pockets through procurement process constitutes a serious threat to Nigeria’s Defence and Security sector and services; and has left our security operatives illequipped, poorly-remunerated and demoralised in spite the persistently increased Defence budgetary allocation and spending from 2011 to date.”