Finally!!!South Africa Returns $15 Million Cash For Arms Purchase Seized From Nigeria

The government of South Africa has
reportedly returned $15 million to
the Nigerian government.
The South African border authorities
had on September 5, 2014 seized
$9.3 million meant for the
procurement of arms for the
Nigerian military, from two
Nigerians and an Israeli who arrived
the country in a private jet.
Custom officers discovered the
money stashed in three suitcases
after the suitcases were put through
airport scanners.
The money was concealed in two
black plastic suitcases, filled with 90
blocks each containing US$100,000
in notes.
The NPA said it found with the
suspects, an invoice for a helicopter
and armaments meant for Nigeria.
While the furore created by the cash
seizure was yet to settle, South
African authorities again seized
another $5.7 million transferred by
Societe D’Equipments Internationale
of Nigeria, to South African arms
company, Cerberus Risk Solutions,
for the procurement of arms.
Although the Nigerian government
through the office of the then
National Security Adviser, Sambo
Dasuki, admitted that the money
belonged to the Nigerian
government, the South African
government said it would not
release the funds until after “due
process” was followed.
The South African High
Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu
Mnguni, had said although his
country had no intention of keeping
the seized funds, it would only
release it to Nigeria after due
process had been followed.
On Friday, PR Nigeria, the consulting
firm issuing statements on behalf of
Nigerian security agencies said the
money has finally been released.
It said the money was released as a
result of some legal and diplomatic
processes initiated by the former
NSA which “ensured that cash
seized by the South African
government during the cash for
arms saga last year have been fully
recovered by Nigeria”.
PR Nigeria also added that
“President Goodluck Jonathan’s
administration was forced to resort
to the alternative market to obtain
arms when western powers blocked
every access to the formal arms
market but the cash were seized
both at the airport and in the bank”.
Meanwhile PR Nigeria confirmed the
release of Mr. Sambo by the SSS
after more than 24 hours siege of his
home.
It also said Mr. Sambo was released
only after the SSS seized his
international passports and other
vital documents.
“Even though there is no more
restriction of his movement, Dasuki
still feels aggrieved that he was
deprived of performing his religious
obligation of attending the Eid
Prayers, making the end of Ramadan
fasting.
“Dasuki has vowed to challenge the
action by seeking legal redress in
order to enforce his fundamental
human rights,” the release said.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES