Former President Goodluck Jonathan at a forum in Washington DC, Thursday, waded into the arms procurement scandal surrounding the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, saying his government never awarded any contract in the range of $2 billion dollars.

“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons” Mr. Jonathan stated categorically querying, “Where did the money come from?” and repeating emphatically that “I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons”.

A presidential investigations committee into arms procurement under the administration of President Jonathan revealed in its interim report that it found extra-budgetary spending by the Jonathan administration to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component, all managed and supervised by Sambo Dasuki, a retired army colonel.

Mr. Dasuki had said in a statement Wednesday that all contracts and accruing payments were made based on the approval of Mr. Jonathan, adding that due process and military procurement regulations were followed in all the transactions.

“Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment,” said Mr. Dasuki.

But Mr. Jonathan said he never awarded any $2billion arms contract, suggesting that the claims by the Buhari administration were false and unsubstantiated. Mr. Dasuki had also argued along that line.

The former president was speaking at an event titled: “Presidential elections and democratic consolidation in Africa: Case studies on Nigeria and Tanzania”.
The session was co-hosted by National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) with Mr. Jonathan as the sole speaker.

Mr. Jonathan touched on the contract issue after he stated that he was aware of allegations of huge sums of money that were said to be missing from the Nigerian treasury, but he claimed that some of the figures mentioned are not believable. “Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures,” he added.
Speaking pointedly about his successor, President Jonathan said, “When the president (Buhari) paid official visit to the US, there were some figures that were mentioned that I don’t believe.”

He drew attention to figures like the $150billion alleged to have been stolen in previous Nigerian administrations, but Mr. Jonathan scoffed at the probability of “$150 billion American money” being missing and “Americans will not know where it is,” adding that at any rate President Buhari did not accuse his administration.

“He didn’t say my government, he said previous administrations… “$150 billion is not 150 billion Naira,” he stated, suggesting, “People play politics with very serious issues.”

The former president was equally dismissive of people who alleged that the sum of $59.8 million was misappropriated within a 12-month period while he was in office.

“In Nigeria, if you lose $59.8 million in a year, federal and state governments will not pay salaries,” he said, adding that there is no way Nigerian budget can accommodate such a loss without the country coming to a standstill.

“Of course we brought international audit teams, forensic auditors and they didn’t see that,” he said.
The former President said he does not want to join issues with the new government, “I wanted to keep away from the public for at least twelve months.”

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/193493-jonathan-washes-hand-off-arms-procurement-scandal.html

Soon we'll know who is really lying.
Truth cannot be hidden forever.

Dusaki and Mr Goodluck should please tell Nigerians the truth.

Ok

When you are 74 years and still lie to people you lead,then wahala dey! This government believes that every body is almajiri or owanbe crew that they can throw out all manner of lies and expect us to swallow it. GEJ never worry,their lies will always turn out to embarrass them.

N

Oga jona,between u and dasuki,who should we believe...all i know is that we must find the YAMS and prosecute all the GOATS involved in the deal...

Oga Jona, $2 billion dollars was not a single one-off transaction but a CUMULATIVE figure of arms purchases. Take note pls!

Please Gej, enjoy your freedom.

Silent is considered the best answer to their so called #ChosenMessiah


HBD2u

Buhari your plans to dent this man's image won't work

Mr. Dasuki had said in a statement Wednesday that all contracts and accruing payments were made based on the approval of Mr. Jonathan, adding that due process and military procurement regulations were followed in all the transactions.

“Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment,” said Mr. Dasuki.

Who Is Who

Ok na we go soon know the truth.

So much hate from ipods i dont know who invented the eyepiece but you guys are too blind to even read what GEJ said. He said Pmb never accused his Administration. And It was Dasuki who said Gej approved the deals not PMB. Stop being sentimental and moronic

ishiamu:
Buhari your plans to dent this man's image won't work

You Id*iots are full of sentiment and hatred for this administration! Why can't You wait and find out who is telling the truth Mtchewww.

ishiamu:
Buhari your plans to dent this man's image won't work

oga read well GEJ hims self said Pmb never accused his administration. And it was dasuki who said GEJ APPROVED The deals not PMB

Does jona know what he signed?

Lalasticlala ..... Front page oh

sameer1212:
Your drunkard papa and ashawo mama dey mad Biafra bastard.

Ikpu nne u dia

Buhari and his jargon party will not stop amusing the international community.

Where is is Waec certificate sef?

I no Gej cannot lie....Sir I believe u

My unassuming advice to Buhari and his cohorts is to focus on the deteriorating state of the nation under his watch, and stop his defence mechanism all in the name of hunting corruption, can he account for PTF and come out a saint, I wonder why some persons reason through their anus, this administration is indirectly celebrating corruption, he revenge on Dasuki is getting out of hands...... if Buhari is a cultured anti-curruption crusader. why did he and his APC members put the incumbent senate president in tension in the guise of CCT, just for him to confirm A matching a minister, ..... APC jackals can criticise my submission....

Hmmm

kingdompropty:
Buhari and his jargon party will not stop amusing the international community.
Where is is Waec certificate sef?

Buhari don't have any Certificate

Buhari = BH

This shoeless man again. #HBD

Gej when u don tour round the globe finish just jeje come sitdown for ur jail cell for kirikiri and do ur time.

Yes

Kai! What more shall i say?


"End time denial"

-lasisi69, November 20, 2015