The Presidency has opened up about the former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Interior, Major General Abdulrahman Dambazau’s (rtd), role in the arms deal procurement scam currently being investigated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The Presidency debunked claims that Dambazau has been indicted in the probe, claiming that Dambazau was not indicted in the Report, because during his era as Chief of Army Staff, awarding of contracts and procurement of arms was being carried out by the Ministry of Defence, not office of the Chief of Army Staff.
A source in the Presidency, who spoke to The Guardian, said: “It was after Dambazua left office that his successor took charge of awarding of contracts and procurement in the service. So there is no iota of truth in the allegation that the report was doctored to shield him.”
The source also debunked claims by Northern Leader, Junnaid Mohammed, that the Presidency doctored the arms probe report to protect Dambazau and current chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai.
The source said: “You know that Mohammed and Dambazua are from Kano State. It has something to do with politics of the State, and choice of minister from the State.
“Some persons from the state preferred somebody else, specifically President Buhari’s longtime ally who got himself involved corruption act, not Dambazau, to be minister. They are not comfortable with his choice, but that was the President’s decision.”
Junnaid Mohammed had alleged that a cabal in the Presidency doctored the arms probe report to protect Buratai and Dambazua.
Junnaid Mohammed also revealed the alleged head of the cabal.