meant for arms purchase was allegedly diverted by key government officials and
politicians during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.
A former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),
Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) in 11 suit cases.
He said he suspected that the cash might have been given to the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
He, however, said as a civil servant, he was innocent because he only carried out
instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.
The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, yesterday
ordered that Salisu be either arraigned in a competent court of law if there is any
basis for so doing or be released on administrative bail on terms to be settled by
the applicant.
It was also discovered that N10billion was withdrawn from the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) for gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The payment of the N10billion was authenticated by former Finance Minister Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, who has said she transferred $322 million from the Abacha loot to
Dasuki, following instruction from Dr. Jonathan.
Salisu opened up in a Statement of Witness/Accused he wrote under oath in the
presence of investigators of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
The statement was attached to the charges preferred against Salisu and filed in the
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in preparation for his arraignment by the
EFCC today before Justice H.Y. Baba and Justice P.O. Affen.
Salisu, who said he did not benefit from all the slush funds from the CBN, said: “I
could remember on the 20/11/2014 , I was directed by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki to go
to the CBN and collect the sum of $47m in cash and the balance in Euro and the
directive was obeyed and the monies were delivered to the NSA in about 11 suit
cases.
“I acknowledged the receipt of the money from the CBN which was handed over to
M.S. Dasuki.
“I think the monies were meant for PDP. After delivery, I left, I did not see or know
when the money was distributed.
“I did not benefit even one cent. The request for the funds was tag(sic) Special
Services signed by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki, addressed to the Governor of CBN.
“I did not know the source of the money into our CBN Account. The foreign
currencies that I collected from the CBN were delivered to the NSA in his house, No.
13, John Kadiya Street, Asokoro.”
The Nation last night obtained memos of some of the curious withdrawals.
In a November 26, 2014 memo to the Central Bank Governor(NSA /366/S), the
former NSA instructed as follows: “Further to our discussion, you are pleased
requested to provide the sum of $47m cash out of the N10 billion and the balance
in Euro to this office for special services.
“Mr. S.A Salisu, Director of Finance and Administration, is hereby authorised to sign
and collect the amount. Please accept, Your Excellency , the assurances of my
highest esteem.
In another April 10, 2015 letter, BPSD/CRC/ GEN/FMF/01/36 by the Banking and
Payment System Department, the CBN authenticated payment mandate of N10billion
to the ONSA for preparation for gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.
The letter, signed by CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department,
reads: “In accordance with your letters, Ref. No. HMF/FMF/082.F15276.7 and
F.15276 respectively on the above subject, we forward herewith the following
mandate for authentication. Mandate Ref. FD/LP(9/4/2015)-N5,000,000,000 to
National Security Adviser Account No. 0029172241019, CBN; another
N5,000,000,000 to National Security Adviser Account No. 1014199287, Zenith Bank,
K-City Plaza, WUSE II Abuja.
“Purpose of payment: “Being amount released to the Office of National Security
Adviser(ONSA) from the Signatory Bonus Account in preparation for the forthcoming
Gubernatorial / State Assembly elections as approved by AGF.
“The Honourable Minister may wish to authenticate this mandate to enable the CBN
remit the fund.”
In a short note to approve the request Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala simply said:
“Authenticated” and signed.
There were indications last night that the EFCC may invite Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala “for
clarifications”. She has openly admitted that she released $322million to ex-NSA
Dasuki from the Abacha loot recovered.
“ We have to find out from her whether or not due process was followed. She also
needs to tell the anti-graft agency whether such a release was appropriated or not,”
a source told The Nation , pleading not to be named because he is not authorised to
speak on the matter.
Justice Ishaq Bello yesterday ordered that Salisu be either arraigned in a competent
court of law if there is any basis for so doing or be released on administrative bail
on terms to be settled by the applicant.
This followed an application for the enforcement of Salisu’s fundamental human
rights by his counsel, A.U Mustapha.
Mustapha had sought for a declaration that the “ arrest and continuous detention of
Salaisu by the EFCC from November 20, 2015 constitutes a gross volation of the
applicant’s rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement respectively
guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
“A declaration that the arrest and continuous detention of the applicant in custody
without any charge since November 20 with a view to denying him freedom of
movement as guaranteed by 1999 Constitution and .article 10(1) of the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights( Ratification and Enfircement) Act Cap A9
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria is accordingly unlawful, unconstitutional and illegal.
“An order directing the the EFCC to release the applicant forthwith without any
condition.
“An order as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of
the application.”
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