by Emeka Nwankwo

The ongoing criminal trial and implication of several high profile personalities in the infamous arms fund diversion case (otherwise known as Dasukigate) is perhaps the biggest corruption scandal to hit Nigeria –at least those that made its way into the public domain.

The network of people involved in this case is vast, entangling and complex as more and more people are drawn into the web as partakers in the $2.1 billion largesse.

Contained below are names of people involved in the arms scandal and have, at some point, been taken in for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Col. Sambo Dasuki

He is the principal actor after whom this case is aptly named after. Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser to Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, is accused of misappropriating $2.1 billion intended for the purchase of weapons needed to prosecute the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. Col. Dasuki is currently in DSS custody (although he has been granted bail by court of law. The DSS, allegedly acting on the instructions of President Buhari, has refused to release him).

Haliru Bello and son, Abba Bello:

Former chairman of the former ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and his son, Abba, are jointly accused of conspiring to withdraw N300 million from the account of the NSA using a firm BAM project and Properties Limited as front. Haliru and Abba Bello were granted a combined bail of N600 million.

Raymond Dokpesi

Following the series of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commision (EFCC), founder and chief executive of DAAR communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, was arrested in connection with the Dasukigate scandal. It is alleged that Dokpesi received about N2.1 billion from the office of the NSA. It is also believed that the said money was for media campaign for the 2015 re-election bid of former president Goodluck Jonathan. Chief Dokpesi, however, pleaded not guilty to the accusations.

Attahiru Bafarawa

Former Sokoto state governor was also arrested in connection to the Dasukigate scandal. It is alleged that he received about N4.6 billion from the office of the NSA. However the reason(s) for this payment is yet to be made clear, although there are insinuations that the money was used by Bafarawa for ‘spiritual purposes’. Mr. Bafarawa pleaded not guilty to the accusation.

Amb. Bashir Yuguda

Former minister of state for finance, Bashir Yuguda, was also arrested in connection to the arms procurement scandal. About N1.2 billion was alleged to have been paid into his account by the Office of the National Security Adviser for reasons yet to be made clear.

Shuaibu Salisu

He is a former director of finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser. Mr. Salisu was arrested and detained by the EFCC over various payments made by the office of the NSA to different persons/firms.

Jafaru Isa

Described as a close associate of President Buhari and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Jafaru Isa is believed to have received about N170 million from the former NSA. Jafaru Isa, who is also a former military governor of Kaduna state, is the first APC member to be arrested in connection to the Dasukigate scandal. He was released after he returned N100 million of the N170 million received.

Olisa Metuh

The People’s Democratic Party publicity secretary was arrested by the EFCC on Tuesday, January 5^th 2016. It is alleged that he received N400 million from the erstwhile NSA. Mr. Metuh is currently in EFCC custody and is yet to be charged.

Others mentioned in connection to the N2.1 billion meant for arms purchase but are yet to be arrested are: Lagos state PDP chieftain -Bode George, Director of publicity for the Jonathan/Sambo campaign organization and former Aviation Minister – Femi Fani Kayode, Nigerian Guide of Editors, Olusola Obada, Director General of the PDP Presidential campaign Organization -Ahmadu Ali, former Minister of Defense Musliu Obanikoro, a former Senate President –Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, former Secretary to the government of the federation –Olu Falae, and Chairman PDP Board of Trustees –Chief Tony Anenih.