Buhari raises 13-member panel to probe weapon procurement since 2007

From Left: Chief Of The Air Staff, Air-Marshal Sadique Abubarkar; Chief Of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief Of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai And Chief Of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, At The Decoration Of Service Chiefs At The Presidential Villa In Abuja On Thursday (13/8/15). NAN

 Buhari has directed the National Security Adviser to convene an investigative committee on the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said.

According to the statement, the investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.

Accordingly, the National Security Adviser has constituted the Investigative Committee as follows:

AVM J.O.N. Ode (rtd.) – President

R/Adm J.A. Aikhomu (rtd.) – Member

R/Adm E. Ogbor (rtd.) – Member

Brig Gen L. Adekagun (rtd.) – Member

Brig Gen M. Aminu-Kano (rtd.) – Member

Brig Gen N. Rimtip (rtd.) – Member

Cdre T.D. Ikoli – Member

Air Cdre U. Mohammed (rtd.) – Member

Air Cdre I. Shafi’i – Member

Col A.A. Ariyibi – Member

Gp Capt C.A. Oriaku (rtd.) – Member

Mr. Ibrahim Magu (EFCC) – Member

Brig Gen Y.I. Shalangwa – Secretary

The presidential statement added, “The establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service.

“It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects of troops’ morale.

“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.”