$9.3m arms deal: JNI insists on probe

KADUNA – The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, yesterday asked both the National Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe the controversial $9.3m seized by the South African authorities by two Nigerians and an Israeli.

The money was flown to South Africa in a private jet belonging to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

The money was said to be meant for the procurement of arms for intelligence agencies in Nigeria.

The JNI in a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu-Abubakar, reads: “Our Senators must rise to the occasion. EFCC must wholly play its role in this direction by prosecuting those involved to adequately face the wrath of the law. It doesn’t matter whose ox is gored.

“All relevant government agencies must also discharge their responsibilities without fear or favor showing the world that our country is serious.

“The following posers are instructive: Is government short of official agents which necessitates assigning non-official ones? Why were the Presidential fleet of jets not used?

“With the current trend of cashless financial transaction why is such huge amount carried in cash? Isn’t arms deals executed via third party?

“Where is the Ministry of Defense and the office of the National Security Adviser? Was Due Process followed through relevant government agencies? Are bilateral matters dealt with in that way?

“What is more shocking is the said government’s full knowledge of it, despite its illegality and the attempt to intervene in such a scandalous matter which attracts the full weight of the law. There is more to the explanation given by the government on the matter.

“Therefore government should tell Nigerians the real fact on the issue. We hope the matter will not be meddled with.

“However, we note with dismay the unguarded utterances of some leaders that they will call on their followers to defend themselves. Also we note the uncourteous speeches attacking other leaders, which live much to be desired and over heat the polity.”