The Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has called on the federal government to also prosecute the immediate past Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for approving and spending from the excess crude account without appropriation by the National Assembly.
Oshiomole also said former President, Jonathan should be prosecuted for approving money that runs into billions of dollars released for the procurement of arms for counter-terrorism operations during his regime.
The governor made the call following the arrest of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa, and chairman, Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi by security operatives in connection with the ongoing arms deal saga.
DAILY POST recalls that Dasuki had admitted to receiving an extra-budgetary allocation of $2.1 billion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, within nine months after approvals by former President Jonathan.
But Oshiomhole insisted that both Jonathan and Okonjo-Iweala should be made to face the law because the Nigerian constitution does not empower the president to spend money not appropriated by the National Assembly, Leadership reports.
“The issue is whether the Nigerian President under the constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal government- funds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly. That is a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution. These things are just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the truth and don’t care what people will say,” he stated.
The governor while quoting the Money Laundering Act which says if one takes cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and criminal, called on the federal government to prosecute Dasuki alongside the former president and Okonjo-Iweala.
“Talking about revelation, look at the letter credited to Dasuki – the immediate past National Security Adviser. In his defence which I read in your paper, he seems to admit that money was spent but it was approved by the President. Does the Nigerian constitution empower the President to spend money which has not been appropriated by the National Assembly? And they took cash from the CBN. The Money Laundering Act says if you take cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal.
“So, by Dasuki’s letter, he has also confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala is a privy to spending money never appropriated and therefore criminal, and that cash were being moved contrary to the money laundering act. Just using Dasuki’s own defence, you can see a case of conspiracy has been established between Dasuki, Okonjo-Iweala and all those involved in that transaction,” Oshiomhole said.
