13-Man Panel To Probe Yar'Adua, Jonathan On Arms Procurement

In pursuance of his determination to stamp out corruption in the public service, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday set up a 13-man panel to probe the administrations of late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan on the procurement of arms and ammunitions for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The committee was constituted by the National Security Adviser, Major-Gen Babagana Monguno (Retd) on the orders of President Buhari and is expected to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the armed forces.

The committee has AVM J. O. N. Ode (retd) as leader and Big-Gen Y. I. Shalangwa as Secretary.

Other members are Rear Admiral J. A. Aikhomu (retd.), Rear Admiral E. Ogbor (retd.), Brig-Gen. L. Adekagun (retd.), Brig-Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (retd.), Brig-Gen N. Rimtip (retd.), Commodore T. D. Ikoli, Air Commodore U. Mohammed (retd), Air CommodoreI. Shafi’i, Col A. A. Ariyibi, GP Capt C.A. Oriaku (retd) and Mr. I. Magu (EFCC).

A statement released by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina said, “the establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service.

“It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects on troops’ morale.

“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.”

It is widely believed that Muhammadu Buhari won the last presidential elections based on his loud chants of the anti corruption mantra.