Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that it
was impossible for his former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, to
have stolen $2.2 billion as being accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).
was impossible for his former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, to
have stolen $2.2 billion as being accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).
Responding to questions after his lecture on Youth
Entrepreneurship at the famous Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, former
President Goodluck Jonathan, said:
Entrepreneurship at the famous Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, former
President Goodluck Jonathan, said:
“They said the National Security Adviser
(Sambo Dasuki) stole $2.2billion.
(Sambo Dasuki) stole $2.2billion.
“I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2
billion.
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? “Yes, there were some issues.
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? “Yes, there were some issues.
“Yes, there are still corruption issues but some of it were
over blown.
over blown.
“I’d say exaggerated and they give a very bad impression about our
nation.
nation.
“You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is
not just possible.”
not just possible.”
To avoid sounding confrontational with the current
government, Mr Jonathan explained that some of the corruption cases were still
in court and would rather allow the legal processes to reveal the facts of the
matter.
government, Mr Jonathan explained that some of the corruption cases were still
in court and would rather allow the legal processes to reveal the facts of the
matter.
He said: “One thing about the issue of corruption is that
these matters are in court, let’s allow some of these processes to end. Lately
some judges’ (homes) were also invaded.
these matters are in court, let’s allow some of these processes to end. Lately
some judges’ (homes) were also invaded.
“There are so many things involved and
we have to follow up these matters to conclusion before we know the fact.
we have to follow up these matters to conclusion before we know the fact.
“I don’t want to be seen a former president challenging what
the sitting government is doing so I have decided to keep quiet for the court
to look into them.”
the sitting government is doing so I have decided to keep quiet for the court
to look into them.”
He said allegations of corruption were not unique to his
administration or the country.
administration or the country.
He said: “You will see that it has become a
major topic whenever there is a change of government …
major topic whenever there is a change of government …
“I am not saying there is
no corruption in Nigeria, there is corruption.
no corruption in Nigeria, there is corruption.
“If you look at corruption there
is almost no country that is free, the degree varies, the perception varies.
is almost no country that is free, the degree varies, the perception varies.
“Transparency International talks about the way corruption
is being perceived in different economies, why do we talk about the way
corruption is being perceived, it depends on the issue raised in the media
every day.
is being perceived in different economies, why do we talk about the way
corruption is being perceived, it depends on the issue raised in the media
every day.
