Following the ongoing investigation into $2bn arms scandal the presidency is reportedly seeking the settlement with former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.
New Telegraph reports that the talks with the government is at the example of high level politicians, including retired generals, with the pledge to get the beneficiaries return the looted funds to government’s reserves.
According to the source the peace initiative was as a result of shocking revelation that charged prominent Nigerians and officials of the Buhari government who were beneficiaries of the security fund.
The source said: “Discussions are going on between the parties. The revelation that has come out so far are just a tip of the iceberg.
“If Dasuki is allowed to release documents about the beneficiaries of arms deal and security fund, the country will be in crisis.”
“Dasuki has threatened to open up on the arms deal. “This is why he demanded for an open trial.”
“With open trial, the whole world would know that so many people were involved in the arms deal.”
Dasuki reportedly has compiled the list of recipients of the fund with documentary proof comprising bank transactions, receipts, video and audio recordings of the transaction before the talks.
“The gravity of the evidence and those involved in the arms deal necessitated the peace moves. The discussion is to douse the tension because if Dasuki opens up, the Buhari presidency would be embarrassed by the revelations,” the source close to Dasuki said.
Those managing the deal met with President Buhari to see how the matter could be settled without mounting the tension already stirred with the arms purchase scandal.
One of the conditions of agreement, according to the source, is that former NSA should be given bail.
“The negotiation is what we expected ex-president Goodluck Jonathan to have done. We learnt that he is also reaching out to the president,” the source said.
However, the presidential spokesperson Mallam Garba Shehu, could not confirm the current peace talks.
“I don’t have the information now,” he said.
“Even, some famous leaders across the North-South divide benefitted from the fund,” the other source said. He added though money was transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries, others who collected cash signed for what they got.
Ex-minister of state for finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, ex-governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and others are facing trial together with Dasuki over the $2 billion arms scandal.
Yuguda has disclosed that he gave N100 million to some leaders of the PDP, including Chief Bode George, Yerima Abdullahi, ex-governors Peter Odili and Jim Nwobodo, for the 2015 elections.
The accused people were arraigned on a 22-count charge bothering on criminal breach of trust and diversion of public fund under the pretext of purchasing security arms.
However, former NSA will today know whether he will go back home or repeatedly be imprisoned in the custody of the EFCC. (Nairaland)