Former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Ibrahim Magu has explained why former President Goodluck Jonathan was not invited for questioning over the 2.1 billion dollars arms deal linked to the fight against insurgency.
The explanation was contained in a new book titled “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammad Buhari”, written by Dr Charles Omole.
The book, which was recently launched at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, examines security spending and political power during the Jonathan administration.
According to the author, Mr Magu said investigators could not summon Mr Jonathan because official records did not show that the funds were formally approved for campaign purposes.
Mr Omole stated that documents and memos reviewed by the EFCC showed the disbursements lacked direct authorisation linking them to electoral activities, limiting the scope of questioning.
He added that the situation created internal tensions within the People’s Democratic Party, as senior party members were drawn into investigations over alleged diversion of funds.
The book also noted that the arms deal affected power relations within the government at the time.
Omole wrote that former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki became more influential as procurement authority and other sensitive responsibilities shifted to his office.
He said this led some observers to view Dasuki as a co-president alongside Jonathan, particularly as disagreements reportedly arose between him and then Defence Minister Aliyu Gusau.
The fallout extended to the leadership of the PDP.
Omole documented that several party figures were sought for questioning, including former national chairman Adamu Mu’azu, who was reportedly in hiding and former party spokesman Olisa Metuh.
Omole wrote, “By January, former PDP national chairman Adamu Mu’azu was wanted for questioning but was in hiding. Former PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh, asked about the N400 million paid to a company linked to him, said he would rather starve than refund it; he was arrested.”
The author added that Magu raised concerns about how strong legal teams slowed corruption cases.
Omole stated, “He lamented how well-funded legal defences stall cases, politicians who steal ‘N10 billion keep N5 billion for litigation,’ hire senior advocates, and exploit any investigative gaps.”
The book further revealed that following recommendations by the Military Procurement Audit Committee, former President Muhammadu Buhari directed the EFCC to investigate 17 serving and retired military officers, many of them from the Air Force.
Several companies were also flagged for scrutiny over contracts linked to the Air Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Charles Omole concluded that while many suspects were questioned and later released, the scale of the investigations reflected concerns over defence spending during the period.
