Following the second case of arms deal between Nigeria and South Africa, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has sent a stern warning to South African government to thread diplomatically as the said money was meant for arms purchase to fight the extremist Boko Haram sect.
South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority NPA claimed that the money was proceed of illegal deal between both parties.
In a stern reaction to what seem to pose strained relationship between both country’s public policy, the Nigerian government denied the recent transaction as being illegal and has stated a drastic position on the ground that the transaction possess all legal document to ensure a legal transit from the place of purchase to the end user
The security adviser Sambo Dasukiwas quoted to have stated on Monday 6, October, 2014 that “a business transaction actually took place between a legitimate company in Nigeria and a legitimate arms broker in South Africa through the bank,” .
“In the course of events, the South African company could not perform and decided to refund the money. What is illegitimate in this transaction done through the bank?” he questioned.
The Federal Government of Nigeria however admitted that the material need for the arms was in the nation’s quest to contain terrorism in the country.
After considering all evidences that formalized both the previous $9.3 million transaction and the recent 5.7 million fund transfer, it was obvious that the transaction agreement was only deterred by the arms broker in South Africa.
The agency further stated that ‘The recent interest in arms purchase was informed by the challenges of insurgency which our nation had been grappling with in the last few years. This is why the understanding of all Nigerians is necessary.
‘Nigeria is desperate to counter activities of terrorists no matter what it takes even when some of our friends are not being fair to us,” the agency said Monday.
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“However, both are now the subject of a criminal investigation and all possible information and connections are being investigated,” Mr. Mncube was quoted as saying.
The statement from Mr. Dasuki’s office confirmed the inability of the South African company to deliver and the attempt to refund
