$2.1b arms deals: Jonathan’s ex-aide Dudafa arrested Share 220

Former presidential aide
 Mr. 
Waripamowei Dudafa has been arrested,The Nation learnt yesterday.

The former Senior Special Assistant ( Domestic Affairs) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is to be interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the investigation into the $2.1billion arms deals.

Sources said he was being grilled last night over $47million and 5.6million Euros (N10 billion) which were withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The cash was allegedly shared to delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Primary Election on November 27, 2014.

Investigation revealed that Dudafa, who was at large, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by operatives of the Department of State Security Service(DSS).

It was learnt that he was immediately handed over to the EFCC and flown to Abuja.

A source said: “Except for the vigilance of security agents at the airport, Dudafa would have gone through the checks unnoticed. But having been watch-listed, operatives of the DSS intercepted and arrested him.

“After handing him over to EFCC, Dudafa was immediately flown to Abuja for interrogation. He was brought in at about 9.15pm.

“The EFCC is excited by the arrest of Dudafa because he is central to many transactions as the SSA Domestic Affairs to ex-President Jonathan.”

The EFCC arraigned Dudafa in absentia with a former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, ex-Minister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu and six others for alleged N10billion loot.

One of the charges said: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser and Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa(now at large) whilst being Senior Special Assistant , Domestic Affairs to the President on or about 27th November, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N10billion being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with the CBN, the equivalent of which sum you received from the CBN in foreign currencies to wit: $47million and €5.6million Euros committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you claimed to have distributed same to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential Primary Election delegates and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”