Arms probe: Group urges Reps to extend searchlight to alleged Military Pension Fund fraud

An Abuja-based group has charged the Ad Hoc committee of the House of Representative investigating the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and related Hardware by the Military, Paramilitary and other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria in the last ten years to also beam their searchlight on the alleged looting of N2.5 billion from the Military Pension Fund.

In a statement signed by their spokesperson, Bashiru Mustapha and made available to our news desk, they applauded the efforts of the House of Representative in their quest to unraveling the whereabouts of funds released for the purchase of Arms purposely meant for the fighting of insurgents and terrorists in the country, but lamented that their work would be inconclusive if they do not also investigate the allegation published in a news report where certain top Military officers were alleged to have looted the Military pension funds.

According to the statement released by the Group titled, 'ALLEGED LOOTING OF N2.5 BILLION MILITARY PENSION FUND: A CALL FOR UNBIASED INVESTIGATION', they praised the Nigerian military's commitment in the fight against insurgents and terrorist while re-echoing a recent statement by the Army Public Relations Director, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima on Sheikh Gumi's viral video, where he stated that, "The Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and has continuously defended the territorial integrity of this great nation".

The Group maintained that Indeed, such high-level commendation of one of Nigeria's most important public institutions is apt, heart- cheering and gratifying, particularly, for our patriotic officers who have placed the nation above their own lives, willing to die for the love of country.

The group's statement read in part,

"These officers, adjudged to be among the best in the world by many observers have proved utmost commitment and preparedness to both local and international assignments anytime they are called upon.

"More so, in spite of our peculiar ethno- religious, socio- economic and political circumstances, the Nigerian Army is one of the few institutions that has managed to reduce to the barest minimum, the twin challenge of corruption and vested interest in its official conducts,"

"It was, therefore, disappointing and most tragic, when some high- ranking officers of this national institution were accused for alleged fraud and breach of trust in an orchestrated loot of the very important military pension fund.

"According to an exclusive report published by Pointblank News on March 16, 2021, a whopping sum of N2.5 Billion received from CBN was fraudulently diverted from Military Pension Fund in one day by some top officers. The reports states: Investigation reveals that Commodore Saburi Abayomi Lawal who is chairman of the Military Pension Board, on December 31, 2020, allegedly connived with top military chiefs, looted the over N2.5 Billion wired into the Military Pension account."

"The report further claimed it gathered from top serving military officers that the sacked service chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Iba, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubarkar, all may have benefited from the N2.5 billion in December 2020.

"The Pointblank News also claimed to have contacted the Public Relations Officer of Military Pension Board, Flt. Lt. O. Lawal, who queried and asked, Are you EFCC, if you are not EFCC, why asking me? And curiously, a press statement was released by the board and purportedly signed by same Flt. Lt. Lawal, which states in part: For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to state clearly that no fund is missing and no amount of money was illegally transferred from MPB account at the CBN to anyone within or outside Nigeria, apart from qualified military retirees or their NOKs. Our operations are transparent and the records are up to date."

The said report has since been removed from the website of the media organisation.

"Yet, despite this official denial from Military Pension Board, Nigerians will need to know why Commodore Lawal is still freely going about his business without the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head like some others. Is he untouchable, and why should that be?

"It is our view that, such allegation involving this calibre of military personnel, and such a huge sum meant to cushion the current harsh economic conditions of our ex- service men and women, must be treated without vested interest, or bias, no matter the powers involved.

"We also believe Commodore Lawal who was, allegedly, named and accused of conniving with others, being the chief executive of the pension board must promptly explain his alleged involvement, and must also be clearly seen to be completely absolved of this allegation.

"The public must know the truth, especially, considering the poor and distasteful living conditions of tens of thousands of our aging ex- service officers many of who, in January 2020 stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja to protest non- payment of their 20 months pension arrears.

"Again, the reputation of the military is at stake here. It's not as easy to sweep under the carpet such a report already in public domain from identifiable source(s) with no visible effort to clear the mess other than a mere press release from the board.

"If the public has been misinformed by such reports, have the board and those officers taken the course of the law to seek redress for character defamation? Why and who pulled down the report from the Point-blank News website overnight," the statement concluded.