The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, seems to have confirmed the fear of many people that some folks have turned the war against insurgency in Nigeria to a theatre of dirty enrichment.
He said billions and huge millions were being embezzled by those who can be described as top crooks in uniforms and mufti.
According to him, while a former top military man was being prosecuted for stealing N4bn from security budget, some civil servants have also refunded over N200m from their loot.
Speaking during a national policy dialogue on corruption and insecurity in Nigeria, organised by the ICPC in Abuja on Friday, he said:
“In the past seven years, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the 9th National Assembly have ensured significantly increased funding for the security sector.
“Part of our interrogation today is why has this proactive effort not translated into commensurate effectiveness in the war against insurgency and insecurity and despite the gallant and sacrificial effort of our soldiers, policemen and other security operatives working daily to secure Nigerians?.
“Some former military and security personnel are being investigated by the ICPC and our sister agency (EFCC) for embezzlement of funds allocated to security.
“For example, a former head of one of the arms of the military, in the twilight of his tenure, deposited the sum of N4 billion from military budget into the accounts of two companies where he is the beneficial owner and sole signatory.
“The proceeds were used to purchase properties in Abuja in the names of cronies and proxies.
“Another case under investigation is theft of part of special intervention fund approved for security operations by some civil servants in the line ministry who transferred about N1 billion to four shell companies.
“A special investigative team under the leadership of NSA and ICPC recovered some of the diverted assets including state of the art building located in Abuja and over N220 million cash. Investigation on this matter is still ongoing.
“In fact, a clinical diagnosis of the insecurity menace in the country reveals that to effectively combat insecurity we require the collaborative efforts of Security Agencies (the military, intelligence, Police, Customs, Prisons, others), as well as Law Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Agencies.
“There are also ongoing investigations into military contracts spending.
“Recently, ICPC arrested a military contractor that received over a period of less than 10 years cumulative sum of about N6 billion from the Nigerian Army in suspicious circumstances and in violation of extant legislation.
“The Commission’s recovery of huge cash sums in local and foreign currencies, luxury cars, customized mobile phones, designer watches including three Rolexes as well as property documents from the premises of the contractor underscore the corruption that often attend military procurement.”
