U.S. Wants Ihejirika’s Sudden ‘Billions’ Probed
Category: Terrorism News
Source: DailyTimes
Former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika is in the cross
hairs of the United States as that nation is insisting that the former
army top gun be probed for alleged diversion of funds meant for the
procurement of weapons and other warfare equipment meant for the army.
Ihejirika who arguably one of the wealthiest retired Generals allegedly pocketed billions of naira meant for the Army.
According
to our source, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle raised the
issue when he met recently with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. Ambassador
Entwisle at the meeting at the Presidential Villa, said the U.S is
particularly concerned about the sudden riches of Ihejirika.
Ihejirika,
who was manipulated as one of the sponsors of Boko Haram by the
Australian hostage negotiator, Davies, is the front-runner for the Abia
state Governorship seat.
The US Ambassador told Jonathan that
the Americans who were in Nigeria to assist in the fight against
insurgents were shocked to find out that what was on ground did not
match the billions allocated under Ihejirika’s watch.
There have
been pockets of grumbling amongst the army rank and file over obsolete
and sometimes lack of top shelf weapons. This boiled over when some
soldiers mutinied against a General. Those soldiers were court martialed
and sentenced to death.
In 2012 alone the defence budget for
capital expenditure was N34.36 Billion with a whooping N5.71 Billion
earmarked for the acquisition of equipment by the Army.
U.S
President Barack Obama or the Secretary of state, John Kerry is expected
to discuss the issue with Jonathan at some close sessions during the
United Nations General Assembly.
The alleged rot and high level
corruption in the military, sources said, has affected the morale of the
Americans who here as technical partners and advisers.
Entwistle,
it was learnt told Jonathan, every top military officer should be held
accountable if he wants the US to be part of the fight against
insurgents.
The high level corruption, contract inflation and purchase of obsolete equipment and arms cut across the three services.
This
rot made Defence minister General Aliyu Gusau to insist that every
contract or procurement must pass through his office. Curiously, this
move did not go down well with the service chiefs who had hitherto
enjoyed autonomy.
Said our source” the Americans want Ihejirika
and his cohort probed. They are insisting that the Government must hold
thieving Generals accountable if Nigeria wants them to be part of the
fight against Boko Haram”
“The Ambassador expressed his nations
unhappiness with what Ihejirika did with the billions allocated to the
Army. They are insisting he be probed.
We all know he is one of the
riches retired Generals around. He made billions that is why he wants
to be Abia Governor,” said our source.
Source: DailyTimes
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