For about nine hours, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) detectives yesterday quizzed a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, over alleged N13 billion arms cash traced to him and his relations.
Gen. Ihejirika was also asked to account for the transfer of N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000 to his relatives who allegedly did no job.
The five beneficiaries are Raymond Ihejirika, Nkechi Ihejirika, Ndubuisi Ihejirika, Orji Ihejirika and Kingsley Ihejirika.
He was also questioned for allegedly awarding N3, 658,293’846.94 contracts to two companies owned by his brother-in-law, Chinedu Onyekwere.
Another query raised for Gen. Ihejirika was seeking his explanation in respect of suspicious transactions to the tune of N845,600,000 and $3,450,619 made from Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria’s (DICON’s) domiciliary and Naira accounts.
He is expected to account for the suspicious transactions alongside a former DG of DICON, Maj.-Gen. E.R, Chioba (retd), who was intercepted at the airport and questioned by the EFCC.
As at press time, the EFCC was set for the trial of Gen. Chioba.
According to sources, Gen. Ihejirika was brought to the EFCC office in Abuja about 11 am by a Military Police officer.
His interrogation by a crack team of detectives, which started immediately, lasted till about 7.30pm when he was released on bail.
Spotting a grey Safari suit, Gen. Ihejirika was looking tired as he stepped out of the EFCC last night.
A fact sheet indicated that Ihejirika was questioned based on the report and recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP).