The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday evening, arrested Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi in relation to the $2bn arms contract allegedly disbursed by the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA.
The former Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety, was arrested over a case of conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.
Atawodi is alleged to have abused his office by defrauding the Nigerian government of over N600m through a dubious contract to purchase military boats.
The contract was awarded to Alhaji Rabiu’s Hypertech Nigeria Limited, who never supplied the boats in spite of being fully paid.
Atawodi, who recently retired from the Air Force, is being questioned by the EFCC over the contract award process, which violated the Procurement Act.
His arrest has been confirmed by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who said he’s also assisting with the investigation.
Atawodi joins several politicians and top military officers implicated in the diversion of defence budget and funds meant for the procurement of arms.
Others who are currently in detention over the arms deal are: former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.
