Nigeria: Ex-presidential spokesman held in arms probe

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - A former minister and a former presidential spokesman were arrested in Nigeria as part of what officials called the extension of a probe into an alleged diversion of a $2.1 bilion arms fund.

Reuben Abati, former spokesman of Goodluck Jonathan, president from 2010 to 2015, was arrested and taken to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) where he was questioned for allegedly receiving $161,000 from funds meant to purchase military hardware to fight the Boko Haram insurgency, an official told Anadolu Agency late Monday.

“Abati was in our custody throughout the night. He was being interrogated over the 50 million naira he got from the former security advisor,” the official added, asking not to be named.

He also said Bala Mohammed was arrested Monday afternoon over the same probe and for his activities while he was minister for the federal capital territory Abuja.

An aide to the minister who asked not to be named confirmed Mohammed’s arrest.

“He was arrested on Monday afternoon and is still being held as of this morning. EFCC operatives claimed he was needed to shed light on some petitions against him regarding land sale in the federal capital as well as his purported involvement in the armsgate,” said an aide.

Mohammed is the third minister being held in connection with the alleged mismanagement of funds meant to equip the army to fight Boko Haram.

Musiliu Obanikoro, a former defense minister, had been held last Monday in connection with the fund. Femi Fani-Kayode, former aviation minister, was also arrested last Friday.

Along with the former security advisor Sambo Dasuki, many top army generals and politicians are facing prosecution over the alleged fraud.