Sambo Dasuki did not steal $2.2 billion – Goodluck Jonathan claims

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, during his administration, did not steal $2.2 billion as claimed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).


Mr. Dasuki, who has been in detention since December 1, 2015, was arrested by security agency in an early morning raid on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari for the alleged misappropriation of $2.2 billion meant to purchase equipment for the Nigerian military in its battle against Islamist group, Boko Haram.

Jonathan, while speaking at the famous Oxford Union, Oxford United Kingdom, on the subject of promoting youth entrepreneurship, argued that it was “not just possible” for Mr Dasuki to steal $2.2 billion after his administration procured several equipment for the country’s military.

“They said the National Security Adviser stole $2.2billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion. We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?” he asked while responding to a question about the alleged missing arms procurement fund.

While admitting that corruption was an issue during his administration, the former president said that some of the allegations have been “exaggerated”.

“Yes, there were some issues; yes, there are still corruption issues; but some of it were blown, I’d say exaggerated, and they give a very bad impression about our nation. You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible,” he said.