Arms Deal: Jonathan Receives Open Letter From SERAP

Arms Deal: Jonathan Receives Open Letter From SERAP

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written an open letter to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, listing some questions he has to answer over the diversion of $2.1billion meant for purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram.

The letter dated January 8 and signed by Adetokunbo Mumuni, the executive director of SERAP, asked Jonathan to explain to Nigerians what he knows about the arms deal fund which was apparently diverted for personal use, Premium Times reports.

The letter reads in part: "SERAP is sending you this open letter to seek explanations from you, as former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, on what you knew, or had reason to know on the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms to empower Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram."

"SERAP considers that there is enough material in the public domain to suggest that over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms to equip Nigerians soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North East of the country was diverted and shared among high-ranging government and party officials under your watch as President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces."

"Is it correct to suggest that the budget of over $2 billion to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North-East of the country was authorised by you or your office? In other words, did your former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) seek your approval to collect from the Central Bank of Nigeria the over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers?"

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"If so, Nigerians would like to hear from you whether the apparent diversion and sharing of our commonwealth by your former NSA was expressly or implicitly authorised by you."

"Is it then correct to suggest that the former NSA implements presidential decisions and not make them? If so, is it also correct to suggest that the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms was a presidential-level decision and that you signed off on it?"

"Is it not correct to suggest that your Administration acted on the basis that it was essentially unrestrained by international or Nigerian law in engaging in or encouraging the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers in order to protect them against attacks from Boko Haram and to enhance their ability to defend the territorial integrity of the country and provide security for its citizens?"

SERAP asked Jonathan what he did as Commander-in-Chief and President to prevent the alleged diversion and sharing of the nation's commonwealth.
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