Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probing the misappropriation and theft of $2.1 billion vote for arms procurement has recovered $2.3million from a suspect.
A report today by The Nation said the suspect was involved in the arms procurement contract scandal in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The report also said the EFCC operatives are investigating wire transfers of millions of dollars and pounds made to Niger Republic, United Kingdom and United States. Among the transfers are:
$10million (July 11, 2014) BSIC-NIGER, Code Bank NE 110, Swift Code BSAHNENI, Account 020383700112 );$38million paid to Societe Nigerienne de Banque (H0064B0100125111123981/22 CODEBIC( May 20, 2014)$16million to a different account in Societe Nigerienne de Banque (H0064B0100125111123981/41 CODEBIC (May 20, 2014)€1,401,869 transferred to SONIBANK (Republique du Niger (October 2, 2013)€1, 395,346.84 to another account in SONIBANK( Republique du Niger on December 11, 2013
*€2,252,252.25 wired to SONIBANK (Republique du Niger) on April 1, 2014.
$36million remitted into CitiBank N.A.Canada Square, Canary Wharf London E14 5LB on May 20,2014;$5million to CitiBank N.A. Canada Square, Canary Wharf London E14 5LB on June 4, 2014$30million to CitiBank N.A.Canada Square, Canary Wharf London E14 5LB on March 9, 2015$50million to Deutsche Bank Trust Company in New York on March 9, 2015$6, 954,000 to Deutsche Bank Trust Company in New York on April 21, 2015
An EFCC source explained the focus of investigation:
“Already, we are tracking what the funds were used for including payment for technical equipment and supply of vehicles. Our investigation includes determining whether or not the equipment were bought and delivered; and whether the cost prices were inflated or not.
“This crucial aspect of investigation accounted for why some military officers were handed over to the EFCC for investigation.
“We are also collaborating with anti-corruption agencies in other jurisdictions to determine the validity of such transfers and confirm if the funds were not laundered.
“The EFCC is being painstaking in its investigation to ensure fairness to all suspects under probe.
