The duo, former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State and a onetime convicted top member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, have been accused by an agent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of receiving N100 million each from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (ret.).
According to Sahara Reporters, the EFCC source, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the N200 million largess to the two PDP officials was diverted from funds meant for the purchase of weapons.
It was believed that the funds which was meant to purchase arms for the Nigerian military in its campaign against Islamist terror group, Boko Haram, was instead paid to the two PDP bigwigs to ensure the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost the presidential election held on March 28, 2015.
Bear in mind, Mr. Dasuki initially insisted that he stole no funds, adding that Mr. Jonathan approved all his expenses related to arms deals.
However, his position changed soon as he was confronted with the statement written by his former director of finance, Shuaibu Salisu who had squealed on all those involved in the scam to investigators.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian law enforcement agents have so far arrested twenty one persons in relation to the arms purchase scandal, as it was learnt that some of the detained suspects were now providing useful information after almost all of them initially exhibited resistance.