Nigerian security operatives have arrested Waripamowei Dudafa, ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s special assistant on domestic matters, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Premium Times reports. It was learnt that Dudafa was arrested and quizzed by the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), before he was handed over to the EFCC on Monday, April 18.
According to a source, Dudafa has been on the EFCC’s wanted list for his alleged involvement in the sharing of N10billion to delegates during the December 2014 presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party. “He has been on our wanted list for a long time and he evaded arrest on several occasions,” a top EFCC official, on condition of anonymity said.
Another source, who did not want his name in print, told The Punch: “We have arrested Dudafa. He arrived at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and was swiftly arrested by the DSS. He was subsequently flown down to Lagos and handed over to the EFCC.
“He is in our custody as we speak and our findings will be made public in due course.” When asked to explain the crux of the case, the source added: “The money was diverted from the CBN to bribe or settle the PDP delegates to adopt ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term. “Dudafa is expected to provide the list of beneficiaries of the largesse.
All the beneficiaries will be unveiled by the EFCC and they have to refund public funds.” It was gathered that Dudafa allegedly converted the money into US dollars, amounting to $47million, and distributed to delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
After investigations, the anti-graft agency believes the fund was part of the alleged $2.1billion meant for the purchase of arms, which was allegedly distributed to politicians through the office of a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Dudafa, alongside Jonathan’s ex Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, were accused of giving N10bn to delegates at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in December 2014 in which Jonathan emerged as the winner.
According to reports, the money was diverted by the Office of the National Security Adviser from a Signature Bonus Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria. The N10bn is believed to have been diverted from oil receipts as follows: $5m (November 14,2014); $47m ( November 27, 2014); €4m (December 3, 2014) and €1.6m (December 24, 2014) But while Adegbe was arrested but later released, Dudafa was said to have fled to either Dubai or a Caribbean country where he stayed for several months.
He was however arrested by security officers upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday, April 18. It was learnt that immediately Dudafa was screened at the port of arrival, the security officials were alerted and he was immediately arrested. He was subsequently interrogated and then transferred to Abuja.
