BEVERLY HILLS, July 15, (THEWILL) – Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has been interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N162million illicit payments to him and his companies by a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and Chanchaga Local Government in Niger State.
THEWILL gathered that he was quizzed over N50million which he collected in cash from the former NSA without record or accountability.
He was asked to explain why Romic Soil Fix International Limited, a company owned by him, received N63million from Chanchaga Local Government of Niger State and another N13.5m from the same council, for reasons that are not stated.
But the former presidential spokesman pleaded with the EFCC not to detain him because he has a heart problem and presented a medical report to back the claim.
He was however mandated to be reporting at intervals.
Similarly, the anti-graft body has constituted a special team to try former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.A. Ihejirika and Lt. Gen. KTJ Minimah and 52 others in connection with their involvement in Dasukigate.
The interrogation is expected to commence as early as Monday as President Muhammadu Buhari gave the nod for the probe following the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment, headed by AVM JON Ode, in its third interim report to the president.
Besides the ex-Army Chiefs, others recommended for probe are 16 other retired and serving Army officers, 12 serving and retired public officers and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement of equipment.
They include a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (II), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and three former permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Mr. E.O, Oyemomi.
The CEOs to be investigated include Col. Olu Bamgbose (rtd.) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd.
Story by David Oputah
