Ex-director: $47m was delivered to Dasuki in 11 suitcases

MORE shocking revelations have come on how huge cash estimated at
$2billion meant for arms purchase was allegedly diverted by key
government officials and politicians during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
Presidency.
A former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security
Adviser (ONSA), Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 11 suit cases.
He said he suspected that the cash might have been given to the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He, however, said as a civil servant, he was innocent because he only
carried out instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr.
Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.
The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq
Bello, yesterday ordered that Salisu be either arraigned in a
competent court of law if there is any basis for so doing or be
released on administrative bail on terms to be settled by the
applicant.
It was also discovered that N10billion was withdrawn from the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly
elections.
The payment of the N10billion was authenticated by former Finance
Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has said she transferred $322
million from the Abacha loot to Dasuki, following instruction from Dr.
Jonathan.
Salisu opened up in a Statement of Witness/Accused he wrote under
oath in the presence of investigators of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The statement was attached to the charges preferred against Salisu and
filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in
preparation for his arraignment by the EFCC today before Justice H.Y.
Baba and Justice P.O. Affen.
Salisu, who said he did not benefit from all the slush funds from the
CBN, said: "I could remember on the 20/11/2014 , I was directed by the
NSA, M.S. Dasuki to go to the CBN and collect the sum of $47m in cash
and the balance in Euro and the directive was obeyed and the monies
were delivered to the NSA in about 11 suit cases.
"I acknowledged the receipt of the money from the CBN which was handed
over to M.S. Dasuki.
"I think the monies were meant for PDP. After delivery, I left, I did
not see or know when the money was distributed.
"I did not benefit even one cent. The request for the funds was
tag(sic) Special Services signed by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki, addressed to
the Governor of CBN.
"I did not know the source of the money into our CBN Account. The
foreign currencies that I collected from the CBN were delivered to
the NSA in his house, No. 13, John Kadiya Street, Asokoro."
The Nationlast night obtained memos of some of the curious withdrawals.
In a November 26, 2014 memo to the Central Bank Governor(NSA /366/S),
the former NSA instructed as follows: "Further to our discussion, you
are pleased requested to provide the sum of $47m cash out of the N10
billion and the balance in Euro to this office for special services.
"Mr. S.A Salisu, Director of Finance and Administration, is hereby
authorised to sign and collect the amount. Please accept, Your
Excellency , the assurances of my highest esteem.
In another April 10, 2015 letter, BPSD/CRC/ GEN/FMF/01/36 by the
Banking and Payment System Department, the CBN authenticated payment
mandate of N10billion to the ONSA for preparation for gubernatorial
and State Assembly elections.
The letter, signed by CBN Director, Banking and Payments System
Department, reads: "In accordance with your letters, Ref. No.
HMF/FMF/082.F15276.7 and F.15276 respectively on the above subject, we
forward herewith the following mandate for authentication. Mandate
Ref. FD/LP(9/4/2015)-N5,000,000,000 to National Security Adviser
Account No. 0029172241019, CBN; another N5,000,000,000 to National
Security Adviser Account No. 1014199287, Zenith Bank, K-City Plaza,
WUSE II Abuja.
"Purpose of payment: "Being amount released to the Office of National
Security Adviser(ONSA) from the Signatory Bonus Account in preparation
for the forthcoming Gubernatorial / State Assembly elections as
approved by AGF.
"The Honourable Minister may wish to authenticate this mandate to
enable the CBN remit the fund."
In a short note to approve the request Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala simply said:
"Authenticated" and signed.
There were indications last night that the EFCC may invite Mrs.
Okonjo-Iweala "for clarifications". She has openly admitted that she
released $322million to ex-NSA Dasuki from the Abacha loot recovered.