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Friday 29 July 2016

Sultan of Sokoto blasts politicians for sharing $15billion arms cash


The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday condemned the sharing of cash from the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA) among some politicians, describing the act as ungodly.

He endorsed the anti-graft war of President Muhammadu Buhari and sought more international support for the campaign.

He spoke with some top officials at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington DC, according to a statement by Kogunan Sokoto, Malam Danladi Bako. Bako, a former Sokoto State commissioner for Information, was on the Sultan’s delegation to the United States

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki is awaiting trial for allegedly using his office to share billions of naira and dollars to politicians from the cash meant for the procurement of arms to fight Boko Haram.

The government said the money shared by the ONSA under the immediate past administration was up to $15 billion.

Many top politicians have been quizzed and others are either on trial or awaiting trial for their role in the matter. Some have also refunded money to avoid trial.

The statement said: “The Sultan not only endorsed the war against corruption, but decried the conversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram to personal use by past government official.

“This was done with the connivance of some unscrupulous politicians. Such funds would have enhanced the capacity of the military to fast track the curtailment of insurgency in the north east of Nigeria.”

It added: “The Sultan implored the international community to be patient with the Buhari administration in its agenda of improving on the economy, as well as the security situation in the country.”

Speaking on other security challenges like communal clashes, the farmers and herdsmen clashes, the Sultan said the government was on top of the situation with the support of traditional and religious leaders.

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