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Nigerian private television chief arrested over arms deal

Xinhua, December 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Chairman of Africa's Independent Television (AIT) in Nigeria Raymond Dokpesi was arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into arms procurement by the office of the National Security Adviser during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The arrest came just a few hours after the Department of State Security Service (DSS) arrested a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki for interrogation on the 2-billion-U.S.-dollar arms deals.

The country's anti-graft agency also intensified the ongoing probe of the arms deals by arresting a former governor of northwest Sokoto State Attahiru Bafarawa.

Dokpesi was suspicious of collecting 2.1 billion naira (10.55 U.S. dollars ) from the Office of the NSA.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has however launched a manhunt for a former national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Haliru Bello, in connection with some diverted arms cash.

An investigations committee into arms procurement under the Goodluck Jonathan administration had said that it found extra-budgetary spending by the Jonathan administration to the tune of 643.8 billion naira (3.235 billion dollars ) and an additional 2.2 billion dollars in the foreign currency component.

But Dasuki has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying all contracts and accruing payments on arms procurement were made based on the approval of former president Jonathan, adding that due process and military procurement regulations were followed in all the transactions.

"Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment," Dasuki said in a recent statement.

However, former president Jonathan said in Washington last Wednesday that his government never awarded any contract worth of up to 2 billion dollars. Endit