No Information On The Seized $15m Arms Funds- SA Envoy

Contrary to widespread reports that the$15m arms funds confiscated by the South African government in 2014 has been released multiple sources,  including the South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, has refuted the report.

Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, had tried to repatriate the seized cash before his resignation.

According to a report by Punch, Mr Mnguni said he has no information whether the funds has been released to Nigeria and would rather wait for reports from his government.

“We have not heard anything (from South Africa), even if we hear anything, we still have to communicate it to the government of Nigeria, we can’t go to the press without talking to the (Nigerian) government. We have to talk first to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs” the envoy said.

Also, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Accountant General of the Federation have also denied knowlege if the money has been returned to Nigeria.

Speaking through its spokesperson, Ogbole Ahmedu-Ode, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  said it has no update on it.

Also, the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, who spoke through his media office said, “The truth is that we don’t have any evidence to that effect and there is nothing here now to show it has been returned.

“In any case, if it’s returned it won’t come to us straight and we won’t know immediately. It will go to the office where the funds was first released before such records get to us. So, I advise you check with the agency from where the money was released for the arms acquisition deal.”

It would be recalled that the South African Assets Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority had confiscated the $15m meant for purchase of arms by the FG in two separate tranches of $9.3m and $5.7m.

The first tranche of $9.3m cash was found stashed in three suit cases by two Nigerians and an Israeli at Lanseria Airport, north of Johannesburg in September, 2014 while the second amount was seized three weeks after.