$2.2b arms deals: Dasuki to call Jonathan as witness

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for alleged mismanagement of $2.1billion arms
funds, would like former President Goodluck Jonathan to be his witness, The Nation reports.


Dr. Jonathan has faulted the charges against Dasuki, claiming that the ex-NSA could not have stolen about $2.2billion votes for arms. Speaking with The Nation, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), the ex-NSA’s counsel, said Dasuki wanted Jonathan to testify in court.

Raji said: “It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice. “It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.”

Another member of the legal team said: “With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical thing for him to do is to see it through. We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it will be bad.”
But, in Raji’s view, a political solution will be better than trial because of the “characters involved”. Those point of advising a political solution is that it will not be “tidy” for Dasuki to mention all those who got money from his office.

Among them, said a source, are a prominent traditional ruler in the North, who reportedly got N500m and a former Head of State. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We believe it has reached a level that Nigerians must know what really happened, how funds were disbursed and who got what.
So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth it.” Another source added: “Dasuki has a list of highly-placed beneficiaries from the arms cash.

A particular traditional ruler got about N500m as a gift. There are many hidden beneficiaries whom Nigerians must know. Nigerians will be shocked by some revelations which will come up during the trial. Nothing short of open trial will let Nigerians know the truth.