Following the controversy hanging over the ferry of $9.3million in a private aircraft to South Africa
for arms purchase, a group, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative (ASRADI) has demanded a full scale public inquiry into how a government department or agency would carry loads of cash in a private jet overseas, ostensibly to transact official business.
In a statement signed by its executive director, Oyinlola Adeolu, the group said, “ While we do not intend to set an agenda for the proposed inquiry, ASRADI believes the following posers would assist in unravelling how the surreptitious trip to South Africa was hatched and embarked upon:
“How often does money get spirited out of Nigeria in this clandestine manner? How was the cash sourced? Was the money appropriated by the National Assembly?
“If, as we are assuming, the cash came from the Central Bank of Nigeria, how regularly does this happen? Does government just ask CBN to throw its vault open at its (government’s) pleasure?
“What is the total value of the Contract in question? Was there any advance payment? If so, how was it made? In cash, too?
“Were bids invited for this Contract as prescribed by the Public Procurement Act? Is government aware of platforms like Telegraphic Transfer and Letter of Credit?
“Can a government that has been preaching the adoption of a cashless policy to Nigerians justify this mode of doing business? What guarantees do Nigerians have that our national patrimony is not regularly salted away using this stealthy method?
Source vanguard
