US Ambassador Wants Former Army Chief Probed

A former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejerika, who is alleged to be one of the Boko Haram sponsors, has again be said to have diverted funds meant for the procurement of weapons and other warfare equipment meant for the army.

According to a source, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle wants the former chief to be probed. He raised the issue when he met recently with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

Ambassador Entwisle at the meeting at the Presidential Villa, said the U.S is particularly concerned about the sudden riches of Ihejirika. Local sources hinted that Ihejirika who is arguably one of the wealthiest retired Generals allegedly pocketed billions of naira meant for the Army. He is the front-runner for the Abia state Gover‎norship seat.

It was revealed that the US Ambassador told Jonathan that the Americans who were in Nigeria to assist in the fight against insurgents were shocked to find out that what was on ground did not match the billions allocated under Ihejirika’s watch.

There have been pockets of grumbling amongst the army rank and file over obsolete and some times lack of top shelf weapons. This boiled over when some soldiers mutinied against a General. Those soldiers were court martialed and sentenced to death.

In 2012 alone the defence budget for capital expenditure was N34.36 billion‎ with a whooping N5.71 billion earmarked for the acquisition of equipment by the Army. The alleged rot and high level corruption in the military, sources said, has affected the morale of the Americans who are in the country as technical partners and advisers.

Entwistle, it was learnt told Jonathan, every top military officer should be held accountable if he wants the US to be part of the fight against insurgents. There is a high level corruption, contract inflation and purchase of obsolete equipment and arms cut across the three services.

This rot made Defence minister General Aliyu Gusau to insist that every contract or procurement must pass through his office. Curiously, this move did not go down well with the service chiefs who had hitherto enjoyed autonomy.

The Ambassador expressed his nations unhappiness with what Ihejirika did with the billions allocated to the Army. They are insisting he be probed. We all know he is one of the riches retired Generals‎ around. He made billions that is why he wants to be Abia Governor,” said the source.