Suspects opt to refund cash for freedom North’s leaders may intervene President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, may soon meet over the mind- boggling revelations from the arms cash probe. Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is standing trial for alleged misapplication and fraudulent disbursement of over N31b meant for purchase of arms, has alleged in his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that all his disbursements were approved by the ex- President. Sources said some associates of Dr. Jonathan were arranging a private meeting between the leaders to enable Jonathan “straighten out” some things with the President. The ex-President is believed to be desirous of addressing some of the allegations in confidence because he is not keen on speaking publicly “so as not to heat up the polity”. It was also gathered that the ex-President’s camp noted that some of the N31billion cash was sourced from “security votes and budget for Special Services”. “Jonathan will prefer a private audience with the President rather than taking up issues with the suspects in public. Some of the expenditures have grave security implications as they involve some neighbouring countries,” a source said, adding: “As a statesman, Jonathan cannot just open up at all. For example, there is a unit where the overhead of past Presidents and Heads of State was taken care of. Some of the funds disbursed by the office had to do with these funds. If Jonathan speaks, will he not rubbish these past leaders? “Some Presidents from some countries sought financial assistance from ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Do you expect the former leader to issue a statement on such a sensitive request?” The source spoke of how Nigeria bought vehicles and some equipment for some countries from the funds, adding that diplomatic etiquette does not allow such a disclosure. “At a point, there was negotiation to end Boko Haram insurgency. This type of deal cannot be put in the public domain”, he said, pleading not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media. Also yesterday, it was learnt that some of the suspects facing trial may opt to return looted funds and forfeit some assets in exchange for freedom or light sentences. It was also learnt that some leaders of the North may prevail on President Buhari for soft- landing for some of the suspects. About N31billion has been traced to more than nine suspects facing trial in Abuja courts. Some of the suspects, according to sources close to the investigations, are already overwhelmed by the evidence against them and would prefer the plea bargain option. The suspects are said to have volunteered to return the funds traced to them and their cronies through phoney companies. They are also said to be considering the plea bargain option to save time and get lighter jail terms where conviction becomes necessary. The names of the suspects seeking plea bargain were kept under wraps last night, but only a former Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, has indicated his willingness to recover N600million out of the over N1billion traced to him. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Despite the fact that most of the suspects pleaded not guilty, some of them have been considering plea bargain to get off the hook. “Those affected have told the EFCC in confidence that they want to return looted funds and assets for outright state pardon or lighter jail terms. “These few ones seeking plea bargain said they ought to regain freedom to retrieve funds where they are stashed. “In fact, one of the suspects said having admitted that he had slush funds, there was nothing to prove in court again.” Last night, counsel to one of the key suspects said: “I think there is a plea bargain offer by some suspects. Some lawyers appearing in the cases have been meeting to enable the nation to get some of these funds back. “These suspects would, however, prefer to return funds and assets to the EFCC for outright pardon. “As I am talking to you, we have not reached any conclusion on the terms of plea bargain to be presented to the EFCC, which is prosecuting all the suspects.” Some elders, led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation are said to be pushing for soft landing for some of those on trial. The elders are said to be worried that most of the suspects are from the North. It was learnt that the elders had been under pressure to save these key Northern figures on trial. But some of the elders, who are unsure of President Buhari’s reaction, were said to have met with presidential confidants. There were plans last night for the elders to have an audience with the President. Another source said: “These elders want a plea bargain alternative, which will lead to the surrendering of all looted funds by the suspects. “Thereafter, an amicable political solution will be reached to allow the suspects to go home and sin no more. Alternatively, those with bad cases can serve lighter jail terms.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/n31b-loot-jonathans-camp-to-seek-talks-with-buhari/

Lobish story, usual propaganda

Is it now that they want to return the money?

Inconclusive

Even if they return all the money plus interest they should not be left Scott free outrightly. Northern elders my foot!
How I wish the penalties were updated to a more severe punishment before their trials.

The way EFCC is handling this matter is not fair, they should remembe Nuhu Ribadu, power is transient. The issue at hand is a big one & the former president should be given opportunity to make his clarifications, that should serve as a tip to knowing what was spent & what was diverted. The hatred i see among Nigerians sponsored by politicians is mind buggling. I stand for justice & fairness.

Northern elders are one our problems in Nigeria in fact major problem. The reason why we are where we are now.
They are all thieves, murderers and this is a fact. Why try to defend a thieve for no reason but because he or she is hausa goat. With all the religion they practice, they practice Sharia don't they cant we apply Sharia law now and cut their hands of abi no be because of sharia thousands were killed in kaduna years ago.

Story, Story. They should allow EFCC to do its work.

President Obama rode on the cash of donors. He did that following strictly laid down U.S. electoral laws. As it happened lawyers and accountants kept an eagle eye on donations.

More importantly, questionable donations were returned. All of these were to avoid any scandal. And there would have been huge scandal if his opponents picked on any.

Ndi-Okereke famously mobilised funds for Obama from Nigeria and the donation was rejected.

The difference in Buhari's case is that he knew very well that the money his election was being promoted with where hugely stole funds.

Regarding the money and the Jeep Buhari collected. He was in a position to raise questions on the sources. Since 1985 when he was kicked out of office was he receiving his entitlements through the NSA's office? Did he or did he not run a security budget during his time as Head of State? Did he give other Heads of States their entitlement through security vote? Is there a law that defines what security vote is for?

As you rightly noted, if the recognition couldn't be extended to everyone shouldn't that was affected by Boko Haram shouldn't that have raised more questions in the President's mind? Or based on his experience as a former C-in-C has the the NSA become insurance company to replace cars? Again, the law entitled him to 3 vehicles. Why did he accept 5?

I know that presently Buhari can do no evil in the eyes of many Nigerians. And that is completely fair.

Did he sign any document to collect the cars? If he didn't didn't he expose himself equally to the claim that he also collected money in cash? These are simply logical questions.

Being honest and acting honest are both matters of one's perspective. We all could choose to define the glass as either half full or half empty for a range of reasons.

I don't see where the honesty is in telling the world that there was fraud in petrol subsidy.

1. When investigations began leading to the doors of the President and his men, we stopped hearing about it;

2. Today the same people who told us that there is no subsidy and that the whole payment was a fraud paid for unverified supplies have paid more on subsidy than the past administration which they accused of fraud. This is bearing in mind that the international price of crude has collapsed and they may actually be no subsidy presently.

GEJ lied to the country about the state of the economy. So also is the present government lying about the economy. There said they met an empty treasury. Next they spent massive funds bailing out the states. Did they get that from an empty treasury? They said they were selling the presidential fleet to reduce cost due to the lean pursue. Next the denied it. Perharps, the purse is not as lean as they have lied to Nigerians. Again, the President has been junketeering. So the purse in not lean.

They said the country is broke, yet they signed an agreement to pay a single company 1% of the entire funds moped up in the country using a software. How has funds been moped up before this time? How much would it have cost Nigeria to buy up that software and own it? Besides quietly refunding the money that was already criminally paid to the company has any other thing been heard? One would have thought that a President who truly means that there would be no corruption in his time will use that to set a clear example.

This ongoing national circus called Dasukigate is a disguise that will lead no where as much as we want corruption eradicated. Its vintage vindictive Buhari. This is mainly about funds used for the last elections. He he has taken the fight to those who vilified him. If he is honest about fighting corruption why would Amaechi who has been formally indicted by a commission of inquiry be sitting as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Buhari's political opponents are being questioned?

This is not the first time a high corruption issue is being dealt with in Nigeria. We had the case of Tafa Balogun, Afolabi, etc.

By mid 2016 people will begin to realise the deep shit the country is in. And I hope people will remember Obama then. That he earned an American economy that was in deep shit, sat down and went to work. And what we got here?

We don't want any plea bargain deal that will allow corrupt person to go scot free. When armed robbers are arrested, nobody gives them the option of plea bargain.

Every person indicted in the arms deal scandal should be made to face the full wrath of the law. All the monies and assets acquired fraudulently should be confiscated by government and maximum sentences applied to serve as deterrent.

Thenationonline.com....hmmm..but honestly,GEJ is my man and I am forced to say he fvcked up,he was the first president from the SS and he mismanaged the treasury..big time fvck up

The Prosecution offers the plea agreement, and not the defendant. The Prosecution dictates the terms of how the case will be concluded. I'd say confiscate everything they own and ask for restitution to the state,then send a clear message by sentencing them to a term just below the Maximum required by law. For those that refuse to refund what they stole, sentence them to consecutive maximum sentences. That way others, in the future, would be wary about stealing from Government coffers.

ALTERNATEID:
We don't want any plea bargain deal that will allow corrupt person to go scot free. When armed robbers are arrested, nobody gives them the option of plea bargain.

Every person indicted in the arms deal scandal should be made to face the full wrath of the law. All the monies and assets acquired fraudulently should be confiscated by government and maximum sentences applied to serve as deterrent.

I support this.

seriously this is a comment??

next time send your comment to vanguard or punch newspaper.

bestads:
President Obama rode on the cash of donors. He did that following strictly laid down U.S. electoral laws. As it happened lawyers and accountants kept an eagle eye on donations.

More importantly, questionable donations were returned. All of these were to avoid any scandal. And there would have been huge scandal if his opponents picked on any.

Ndi-Okereke famously mobilised funds for Obama from Nigeria and the donation was rejected.

The difference in Buhari's case is that he knew very well that the money his election was being promoted with where hugely stole funds.

Regarding the money and the Jeep Buhari collected. He was in a position to raise questions on the sources. Since 1985 when he was kicked out of office was he receiving his entitlements through the NSA's office? Did he or did he not run a security budget during his time as Head of State? Did he give other Heads of States their entitlement through security vote? Is there a law that defines what security vote is for?

As you rightly noted, if the recognition couldn't be extended to everyone shouldn't that was affected by Boko Haram shouldn't that have raised more questions in the President's mind? Or based on his experience as a former C-in-C has the the NSA become insurance company to replace cars? Again, the law entitled him to 3 vehicles. Why did he accept 5?

I know that presently Buhari can do no evil in the eyes of many Nigerians. And that is completely fair.

Did he sign any document to collect the cars? If he didn't didn't he expose himself equally to the claim that he also collected money in cash? These are simply logical questions.

Being honest and acting honest are both matters of one's perspective. We all could choose to define the glass as either half full or half empty for a range of reasons.

I don't see where the honesty is in telling the world that there was fraud in petrol subsidy.

1. When investigations began leading to the doors of the President and his men, we stopped hearing about it;

2. Today the same people who told us that there is no subsidy and that the whole payment was a fraud paid for unverified supplies have paid more on subsidy than the past administration which they accused of fraud. This is bearing in mind that the international price of crude has collapsed and they may actually be no subsidy presently.

GEJ lied to the country about the state of the economy. So also is the present government lying about the economy. There said they met an empty treasury. Next they spent massive funds bailing out the states. Did they get that from an empty treasury? They said they were selling the presidential fleet to reduce cost due to the lean pursue. Next the denied it. Perharps, the purse is not as lean as they have lied to Nigerians. Again, the President has been junketeering. So the purse in not lean.

They said the country is broke, yet they signed an agreement to pay a single company 1% of the entire funds moped up in the country using a software. How has funds been moped up before this time? How much would it have cost Nigeria to buy up that software and own it? Besides quietly refunding the money that was already criminally paid to the company has any other thing been heard? One would have thought that a President who truly means that there would be no corruption in his time will use that to set a clear example.

This ongoing national circus called Dasukigate is a disguise that will lead no where as much as we want corruption eradicated. Its vintage vindictive Buhari. This is mainly about funds used for the last elections. He he has taken the fight to those who vilified him. If he is honest about fighting corruption why would Amaechi who has been formally indicted by a commission of inquiry be sitting as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Buhari's political opponents are being questioned?

This is not the first time a high corruption issue is being dealt with in Nigeria. We had the case of Tafa Balogun, Afolabi, etc.

By mid 2016 people will begin to realise the deep shit the country is in. And I hope people will remember Obama then. That he earned an American economy that was in deep shit, sat down and went to work. And what we got here?

gentledavid:
Thenationonline.com....hmmm..but honestly,GEJ is my man and I am forced to say he fvcked up,he was the first president from the SS and he mismanaged the treasury..big time fvck up

Bro David...don't believe every thing you read in the Nigerian Media. For example, GEJ left 5.6B USD after loosing the election. As published by Dele Momodu (Boss Newspaper), in his interview with Deiziani Allison Madueke...till date, not one FG or APC official has faulted her submission. We all, including the media, pretended we didn't see that. Didn't the PMB tell us then that he met an empty treasury and it was widely reported?

Media trial plus media persecution equal to PROPAGANDA

Arrest them, prosecute them... And throw them behind bar... Only then will I be convinced the fight against corruption has fully started... 4 now na advertisement them DE do.. Film neva start.

bestads:
President Obama rode on the cash of donors. He did that following strictly laid down U.S. electoral laws. As it happened lawyers and accountants kept an eagle eye on donations.

More importantly, questionable donations were returned. All of these were to avoid any scandal. And there would have been huge scandal if his opponents picked on any.

Ndi-Okereke famously mobilised funds for Obama from Nigeria and the donation was rejected.

The difference in Buhari's case is that he knew very well that the money his election was being promoted with where hugely stole funds.

Regarding the money and the Jeep Buhari collected. He was in a position to raise questions on the sources. Since 1985 when he was kicked out of office was he receiving his entitlements through the NSA's office? Did he or did he not run a security budget during his time as Head of State? Did he give other Heads of States their entitlement through security vote? Is there a law that defines what security vote is for?

As you rightly noted, if the recognition couldn't be extended to everyone shouldn't that was affected by Boko Haram shouldn't that have raised more questions in the President's mind? Or based on his experience as a former C-in-C has the the NSA become insurance company to replace cars? Again, the law entitled him to 3 vehicles. Why did he accept 5?

I know that presently Buhari can do no evil in the eyes of many Nigerians. And that is completely fair.

Did he sign any document to collect the cars? If he didn't didn't he expose himself equally to the claim that he also collected money in cash? These are simply logical questions.

Being honest and acting honest are both matters of one's perspective. We all could choose to define the glass as either half full or half empty for a range of reasons.

I don't see where the honesty is in telling the world that there was fraud in petrol subsidy.

1. When investigations began leading to the doors of the President and his men, we stopped hearing about it;

2. Today the same people who told us that there is no subsidy and that the whole payment was a fraud paid for unverified supplies have paid more on subsidy than the past administration which they accused of fraud. This is bearing in mind that the international price of crude has collapsed and they may actually be no subsidy presently.

GEJ lied to the country about the state of the economy. So also is the present government lying about the economy. There said they met an empty treasury. Next they spent massive funds bailing out the states. Did they get that from an empty treasury? They said they were selling the presidential fleet to reduce cost due to the lean pursue. Next the denied it. Perharps, the purse is not as lean as they have lied to Nigerians. Again, the President has been junketeering. So the purse in not lean.

They said the country is broke, yet they signed an agreement to pay a single company 1% of the entire funds moped up in the country using a software. How has funds been moped up before this time? How much would it have cost Nigeria to buy up that software and own it? Besides quietly refunding the money that was already criminally paid to the company has any other thing been heard? One would have thought that a President who truly means that there would be no corruption in his time will use that to set a clear example.

This ongoing national circus called Dasukigate is a disguise that will lead no where as much as we want corruption eradicated. Its vintage vindictive Buhari. This is mainly about funds used for the last elections. He he has taken the fight to those who vilified him. If he is honest about fighting corruption why would Amaechi who has been formally indicted by a commission of inquiry be sitting as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Buhari's political opponents are being questioned?

This is not the first time a high corruption issue is being dealt with in Nigeria. We had the case of Tafa Balogun, Afolabi, etc.

By mid 2016 people will begin to realise the deep shit the country is in. And I hope people will remember Obama then. That he earned an American economy that was in deep shit, sat down and went to work. And what we got here?

When I got to "the money and the jeep Buhari collected..." I realized you're trying hard to feed us gullibility. Do you have any remote evidence Buhari collected any money?

Dasuki will rot in jail with his accomplices. No amount of media propaganda will save his ass.

So long justice is not covered........

They are the same people.

bestads:
President Obama rode on the cash of donors. He did that following strictly laid down U.S. electoral laws. As it happened lawyers and accountants kept an eagle eye on donations.

More importantly, questionable donations were returned. All of these were to avoid any scandal. And there would have been huge scandal if his opponents picked on any.

Ndi-Okereke famously mobilised funds for Obama from Nigeria and the donation was rejected.

The difference in Buhari's case is that he knew very well that the money his election was being promoted with where hugely stole funds.

Regarding the money and the Jeep Buhari collected. He was in a position to raise questions on the sources. Since 1985 when he was kicked out of office was he receiving his entitlements through the NSA's office? Did he or did he not run a security budget during his time as Head of State? Did he give other Heads of States their entitlement through security vote? Is there a law that defines what security vote is for?

As you rightly noted, if the recognition couldn't be extended to everyone shouldn't that was affected by Boko Haram shouldn't that have raised more questions in the President's mind? Or based on his experience as a former C-in-C has the the NSA become insurance company to replace cars? Again, the law entitled him to 3 vehicles. Why did he accept 5?

I know that presently Buhari can do no evil in the eyes of many Nigerians. And that is completely fair.

Did he sign any document to collect the cars? If he didn't didn't he expose himself equally to the claim that he also collected money in cash? These are simply logical questions.

Being honest and acting honest are both matters of one's perspective. We all could choose to define the glass as either half full or half empty for a range of reasons.

I don't see where the honesty is in telling the world that there was fraud in petrol subsidy.

1. When investigations began leading to the doors of the President and his men, we stopped hearing about it;

2. Today the same people who told us that there is no subsidy and that the whole payment was a fraud paid for unverified supplies have paid more on subsidy than the past administration which they accused of fraud. This is bearing in mind that the international price of crude has collapsed and they may actually be no subsidy presently.

GEJ lied to the country about the state of the economy. So also is the present government lying about the economy. There said they met an empty treasury. Next they spent massive funds bailing out the states. Did they get that from an empty treasury? They said they were selling the presidential fleet to reduce cost due to the lean pursue. Next the denied it. Perharps, the purse is not as lean as they have lied to Nigerians. Again, the President has been junketeering. So the purse in not lean.

They said the country is broke, yet they signed an agreement to pay a single company 1% of the entire funds moped up in the country using a software. How has funds been moped up before this time? How much would it have cost Nigeria to buy up that software and own it? Besides quietly refunding the money that was already criminally paid to the company has any other thing been heard? One would have thought that a President who truly means that there would be no corruption in his time will use that to set a clear example.

This ongoing national circus called Dasukigate is a disguise that will lead no where as much as we want corruption eradicated. Its vintage vindictive Buhari. This is mainly about funds used for the last elections. He he has taken the fight to those who vilified him. If he is honest about fighting corruption why would Amaechi who has been formally indicted by a commission of inquiry be sitting as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Buhari's political opponents are being questioned?

This is not the first time a high corruption issue is being dealt with in Nigeria. We had the case of Tafa Balogun, Afolabi, etc.

By mid 2016 people will begin to realise the deep shit the country is in. And I hope people will remember Obama then. That he earned an American economy that was in deep shit, sat down and went to work. And what we got here?

See, nothing bad in criticising a government. We all cannot support the government of the day but doing so with obvious lies that have been discredited publicly present you as a hater and enemy of good government.

Criticising a government and lying publicly to create mischief are two different things. If by now, you don't know that Buhari has denied collecting any money or five cars from the immediate past government, you are either ignorant or mischievous.

The bail out funds and the TSA agreement have both been discussed and dissected on this forum. Go to any of the threads and get yourself properly educated instead of making ignorant comments on what you don't understand.

The war on corruption is already a loss cause before it started. Let's not decisive ourselves, an earlier commenter spoke on the transparency of Obama's elections whereas that of bubu was funded on looted funds. It's a clear picture of the kettle calling the pot black. Buhari's corruption may not be as high as that of his predecessors but he certainly had his hand's in one too many pies.
Hence he might not be the best candidate to fight corruption.

Has Buhari bought any weapon for the military since he assumed presidency? What is happening to our security votes now? Which weapons are the military using now, where did they get them from, including the ones they used in Kaduna against Zakzaky? Is the new NSA distributing our yams to Tinubu & co? While we're shouting #DasukiGate , so much is going on behind the scene

BIG LIE

ALTERNATEID:
We don't want any plea bargain deal that will allow corrupt person to go scot free. When armed robbers are arrested, nobody gives them the option of plea bargain.

Every person indicted in the arms deal scandal should be made to face the full wrath of the law. All the monies and assets acquired fraudulently should be confiscated by government and maximum sentences applied to serve as deterrent.

didnt you see the source of the news. Buhari has been implicated in the arms deal and wants to sweep it aside. APC and propanganda. buhari is a yam eater.

Speculative Journalism! However, it good seeing that the Nation Newspaper which has been in the forefront in the exposee is now having a rethink knowing the damage the media trial, conviction, acquittal and discharge on pages of newspapers will do to National Security and on the confidence of the intelligence community.