Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has claimed that funds meant for weapons and logistics in the Nigerian army are being diverted by “well-known criminal elements.”
Addressing newsmen at his Ilawe-Ekiti hometown on Saturday, Falana accused Nigerian judges of freeing individuals accused of looting billions of naira meant for arms procurement.
He warned that such decisions are undermining the fight against terrorism and banditry in the country, lamenting that terrorists and bandits now appear better armed than Nigerian troops
Falana said the courts were “not helping matters” by relying on what he described as dubious technicalities to discharge prominent figures indicted for stealing security funds, even as soldiers on the frontlines remain poorly equipped.
He argued that members of the Nigerian Armed Forces are capable of defeating insurgents and bandits without foreign intervention if they are adequately equipped and motivated.
“If the members of the Armed Forces are well equipped and motivated, they can deal with terrorism and banditry. But as a result of the neglect of vital security institutions over the years, the ragtag armies of criminal elements are winning the war on terror. It is a shame,” Falana said.
He accused some military officers and their civilian collaborators of stealing money earmarked for arms procurement, noting that the situation had been worsened by court decisions that allowed such suspects to walk free.
“How do you fight terrorism in an environment where the money budgeted for procurement of arms and ammunition is stolen by well-known criminal elements in society?” he queried.
Falana said his experience defending soldiers and officers charged under the Armed Forces Act had shown him that many were willing to prosecute the counter-insurgency war but lacked vital equipment.
“The money earmarked for procurement of arms and ammunition was stolen by a coterie of military officers and their civilian collaborators. The courts are not helping as they hide under dubious technicalities to free the indicted criminals who stole billions of naira meant for security,” he said.
Citing specific cases, Falana said a former service chief accused of stealing ₦22.8bn was freed by a Federal High Court on the grounds that he was not tried before a court martial, even though the charge was money laundering, which falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
“The money earmarked for procurement of arms and ammunition was stolen by a coterie of military officers and their civilian collaborators. The courts are not helping as they hide under dubious technicalities to free the indicted criminals who stole billions of naira procurement funds.
“For instance, a service chief was charged with stealing ₦22.8bn. The Federal High Court freed him on the ground that he was not charged before a court martial. Meanwhile, he was charged with money laundering, which can only be tried exclusively by the Federal High Court.
“A former governor was charged with stealing ₦6.9bn from the Office of the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki. A judge has just freed him without even allowing him to defend himself.
“A few other military officers and civilians who stole about ₦200bn have been asked to go home and enjoy the stolen funds earmarked for the purchase of military hardware. Meanwhile, our soldiers are ill-equipped because of the criminal diversion of the huge funds.
“So, the government must put in place a mechanism for the recovery of money meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition that have been stolen. This is with a view to using the fund for the purpose for which it was meant as a matter of urgency.
“If you equip your armed forces and motivate the members, Nigeria can fight terrorism and banditry without the intervention of any country. To secure Nigeria is not the business of any foreign nation; it is the duty of the government under the constitution, and that duty must be carried out by the government.
“There is no indication that the government is incompetent and cannot secure Nigeria. Since Nigerians know where the problems lie, we have a duty to compel the government of our country to carry out its responsibility under the law,” he said.