The Presidential Committee on Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces has decided to cast its net wider by probing the tenures of three former Chiefs of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.
The panel said that in line with its mandate to look into the procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment from 2007 to 2015, it has invited about 300 serving and retired top army officers who served under the three former Chiefs of Army Staff.
About ten local and foreign firms including the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON have also been invited to appear before the panel.
According to the panel's letter to Nigerian Army, “The invitees are required to clarify issues arising from procurement between 2007 and 2015 before the committee sitting at the ONSA daily.
“AHQ is required to cause the appearance of the senior officers and CEOs of the companies before the committee on dates stated against their names. Your cooperation will be most appreciated.”
THE NATION reports that the former Army Chiefs and the other invited officers are expected to answer questions on ammunition for Darfur operation, supply of training kits and equipment; purchase of 16MG and 29 RPG and 10Grenade Launchers; repair of seven assault craft; repair service and upgrade of 29 Suncraft ; purchase of 15 Free Fall Parachutes; buying of MRAP vehicles with maintenance containers; order of Radio Technologies Equipment; purchase of 10 APCs by DICON; 51 GPMG and sustenance of Operation Zaman Lafiya; emergency procurement of Combat Equipment for Ongoing Ops; Operation Internal Security; Quick Response Group and Forward Operation Bases; HE Type Mortar and purchase of Bullet Proof Vests.
THE NATION also reports that some of the officers who will be answering questions before the panel are the former Commander of the Army Finance Corps, Maj-Gen Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State); former Corps Commander,Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Lagos , Maj.-Gen. Olayemi Abidoye; ex-Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General E. E. Bassey; former General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Major General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo; former Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General M.A. Yerima; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General O Akinyemi; former Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, NAOC, Major-General A. A. Martins; ex-GOC 3 Armoured Div, Maj.Gen. AB Marwa; former Chief of Policy and Plans at Army Headquarters , Major General A. Atofarati; former Commandant, Army Finance Corps, Gen. A.I. Muraina; ex- Directing Staff, National Defense College, Maj-Gen. Christian Onuorah Ugwu; former Director-General, Defence Industries Corporation, DICON, Maj.-Gen. Ekwenugo Chioba; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General Essien Bassey; former Chief of Logistics at the Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Kitchener; and former Defence Attaché at the Nigerian Embassy in Pakistan, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Kitchener.
The firms invited for interaction with the panel are DICON; Streit Group; China North Industries; Suncraft International Inc; Shangai L Electronics; Poly Trechnologies Inc; NRTC Pakistan; Kennedy Logistics; DYS Global Service Limited; Driveline System; Hadassa Investment Security Nigeria Ltd; Oraco Trade Link Limited and M/S Jatori.
A source close to the panel told THE NATION that the invited firms and officers are not under probe but are expected to help clarify issues related to arms procurement.
“Please note, none of all those invited is facing trial. They will only interact with this fact-finding committee. At the end of the day, the panel will make recommendations to the President and Commander-In-Chief, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari," he said.
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