The ongoing investigation into the disbursement of funds meant for prosecuting the war against insurgency appears to be getting messier with yesterday’s revelation that a certain firm, Acacia Holdings Limited received the sum of N1.45 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for rendering special prayers.
Another firm, Reliance Referral Hospitals, also got the sum of N750 million for rendering special prayers.
Saturday Telegraph investigations revealed that both firms belong to the parent organisation even though there were no names or clear contact addresses of these firms.
A visit to the corporate website of Acacia Holdings Limited revealed that it is made up of a group of four companies namely, Reliance Referral Hospitals, Medical Plastics Limited, Hits Furniture Nigeria Limited and the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE). Incidentally, none of the companies in the group except ICICE had anything to do with religion and prayers.
Our check reveals that Reliance Hospital is a 160-bed hospital currently under construction in Abuja while the ICICE is a religious centre dedicated to the promotion of Islamic culture and education.
Saturday Telegraph could not locate House 3, Plot 809, off Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, the presumed headquarters of Acacia Holdings Limited but a search on the ICICE took our correspondents to a mosque located in the highbrow Maitama District of Abuja. When our correspondents visited the expansive premises of the mosque, hundreds of Muslim faithful were seen strolling out of the facility after taking part in yesterday’s Jumat service.
One of the worshippers told one of our correspondents that there had been rumours that the head of the religious centre, whose names was not given, was arrested by the EFCC about a week ago over allegations that he collected some huge sums of money from government during the last regime. Asked if the money was for prayers, the worshipper said he did not know what purpose the said money was meant for.
There was heavy security presence around the mosque but it was not clear whether the security men were there to make further arrests or ensure the safety of the worshippers in view of the security alert in the city.
In another development, the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed 19 additional charges against the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki. Dasuki, now under detention, is being accused of extra-budgetary spending to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in foreign currency component.
The money is said to be part of the $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase for the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.
The charges were filed at the FCT High Court, Abuja and sources said Dasuki is expected to be arraigned today or Monday. He will be arraigned with Mr. Salisu Shuaibu, a former Director of Finance in his office; Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Acacia Hold-ings Limited, and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
A former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Attahiru Sagir; former Minister of National Planning, Bashir Yuguda and Dalhatu Investment Limited, are also charged separately with 22 counts over alleged diversion of over N10 billion meant for arms procurement. On the fresh charges, a defence lawyer, who pleaded anonymity, said he doubted if the ex-NSA had been served, adding that “Dasuki would have to be first served the charges in person before he would brief the lawyers.”
Defence counsel, Messrs. Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Ahmed Raji (SAN), both said they were aware of the fresh charges but declined to comment.
The case is slated for January 20 for mention. Meanwhile, a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has vowed to drag Dasuki and others “implicated” in the alleged $2.1 billion arms deal, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) next week.
While delivering a lecture in Abuja tagged: “Promotion and Protection of human rights in Nigeria”, at the maiden lecture and dinner organised by the Amnesty International (AI), Falana said the accused must be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. He at the occasion, disputed media reports that President Muhammadu Buhari was engaging in impunity by detaining the alleged suspects for more than 48 hours, saying it was untrue.
He further argued that the Administration of Criminal Law Act, which was enacted by the previous regime had empowered a magistrate on the application of the police or anti-graft agency to issue a remand order or detain those under investigation for more than 48 hours. “Last week some people were arrested. I think three of them principally (Dasuki, Raymond Dokpesi, and Attahiru Bafarawa).
Again, contrary to media report, the suspects were not arrested for diverting the some of $2.1 billion as it has been reported by the press, but for diverting and misappropriating and conerring $6 billion. I am talking of $2.1 billion and N643 billion”.
“Now in any part of the world, this is a serious crime that affects the generality of Nigerians, that affects our right to development, that led to the untimely death of over 5,000 soldiers, and 20,000 civilians that have been massacred by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists”.
“This fund was earmarked for procuring military hardware to prosecute the war on terror, but a gang of people sat down and resolved and decided to corner the fund, and continue to deceive our people that adequate weapons have been procured for our soldiers and therefore they are indolent, and cowardly by not fighting to defeat the Boko Haram sect.”
“Perhaps, unlike most Nigerians I feel more pain. I feel more challenged, because I have defended scores of military officers and soldiers on pro-bono basis because I was convinced that these funds were diverted and therefore, why are you charging these innocent people with cowardly behaviour which attracts the death penalty. New Telegraph
