DSS Begins Probe of Military Contracts and Arms Deal

                    

The Department of State Security Service (DSS) has started probing contracts awarded by the military and other security agencies.
Arms Procurement in the past few years is the focus.some contractors were detained about 24 to 48 hours,though their names were undisclosed
  The ongoing findings border on four pegs including:

*alleged extra-budgetary spending on military hardware and the sources of funding;
*what became of the $1billion approved for arms purchase by the National Assembly;
*the sources of the $15million seized by South Africa
*why the military budget had declined in the last five years or whether or not the military budget had been diverted to other use; and
*likely cases of mismanagement.


It was gathered that the presidency was disturbed that some of the immediate past Service Chiefs had complained of lack of equipment contrary to the records available to the government.
Although the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Sambo Dasuki, had clarified that enough modern arms and ammunition, the government has set out to find out how much was spent on arms, the actual Defence budget, what was released and spent.
Sources said 
                         “The DSS has launched a discreet probe into award of contracts, procurement and extra-budgetary votes by the military and security agencies in the past five years.

“Some contractors were detained and grilled for about 24 to 36 hours before they were released to their lawyers. Some of the contractors will still be re-invited as the probe progresses.

“Where contracts were duly awarded, the DSS only screened the process and confirmed execution. Some procurements were also verified.

“The job is however easier in some cases because one of the present Service Chiefs was in charge of procurement in his service.”

One of the affected contractors confirmed invitation by DSS to our correspondent.

The contractor said: “I was asked to present my contract papers, due process approval and the execution. They were civil because after presenting all the details, I was left off the hook after 24 hours.

“This is why it is not good to cut corners in any business one is doing.” 

It was however learnt that the DSS will look find out whether or not the $1billion external loan sought by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was approved.

The 7th Senate had on September 25 approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to borrow a $1bn external loan to buy arms and hardware fight insurgency in the country.

The source added: “The ongoing investigation will help to find out if the loan was fully accessed or not, what it was spent on and what gaps to be filled.

“It is not a witch-hunt but if you go through the report of the Transition Committee of Jonathan, there were so many gaps to fill.

“There were allegations of underfunding, short-changing of military  budget, extra-budgetary spending, and unnecessary debts.

“We also got reports that some military equipment ordered from abroad are still being expected.

“There is need to reconcile all these records. If there are infractions, those concerned will be prosecuted.

“In all, the report of the Ministry of Defence was not at par with the votes spent on the arms in the Armed Forces and security agencies.