The Presidency has faulted the claim by the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), that he was not invited by the presidential committee, probing the purchase and supply of arms during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A source in the Presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Thursday, told The PUNCH that the Federal Government was in possession of evidence to show that Dasuki was duly invited to clear his name.
He said the Department of State Services duly invited the ex-NSA, who however refused to honour the invitation.
The source explained that a summons served on Dasuki was duly acknowledged by his lawyer.
The former NSA had, in a statement on Wednesday, said he was never invited by the John Odeh-led panel to verify the findings of the committee before he was indicted.
Dasuki, who was indicted along with others, was alleged to have awarded N333bn “fictitious and phantom” arms contracts.
But he described the panel’s submission as baseless and lacking in diligence.
The PUNCH had on Thursday reported that some former service chiefs would be invited by security agencies to answer questions relating to the interim report submitted by the panel.
But the source in the Presidency faulted Dasuki’s claims.
He added, “Don’t forget that the DSS is on that committee probing those arms deals.
“He was invited by the DSS and he refused to honour the invitation despite that his lawyer acknowledged the document.
“Instead for Dasuki to honour the invitation, he remained indoors and was whipping up sentiment.
“If he is taken to any court without his statement, the case will automatically be thrown out.”
The top government official added that all steps being taken by Dasuki to subvert the system and escape justice were known to security agencies and the government.
He said at the appropriate time, Nigerians would know more about the allegations against the ex-NSA.
No comments :
Post a Comment
Dear BsB Reader, Please drop your comments and do visit us again