I didn't award $2bn arms contracts, Says Jonathan.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan  in far away  Washington DC,USA on Thursday, dismissed allegation of his government’s involvement in arms deal in the range of $2billion.

“I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons,” Dr Jonathan was quoted as saying in a report in an online medium, Premium Times. 

It was his first public statement on the probe of arms contracts during his tenure.

A presidential investigations committee into arms procurement by the administration said in its interim report that it found extra-budgetary spending to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component, all managed and supervised by the then National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.

But Jonathan speaking at a forum in Washington DC, according to the online report, said: “Where did the money come from? I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons.”

Dasuki had said in a statement Wednesday that all contracts and accruing payments were made with the  approval of the President,saying:“Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment.”

Jonathan who spoke on “Presidential elections and democratic consolidation in Africa: Case studies on Nigeria and Tanzania,” organised by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)  said  he found some of the figures which the Buhari government claims to be missing from the treasury or mismanaged  unbelievable.

“Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures,” he said.

“When the president (Buhari) paid official visit to the US, there were some figures that were mentioned that I don’t believe.”

He cited the example of $150billion  said  to have been stolen  by previous administrations.

“He didn’t say my government, he said previous administrations…$150 billion is not 150 billion naira. People play politics with very serious issues.”

On another $59.8 million  alleged to have been  misappropriated within a 12-month period while he was in office, he said: “In Nigeria, if you lose $59.8 million in a year, federal and state governments will not pay salaries.

“Of course we brought international audit teams, forensic auditors and they didn’t see that.”

The former president said he did not want to join issues with the new government. “I wanted to keep away from the public for at least twelve months.”