U.S Wants Ihejirika’s Sudden ‘Billions’ Probed

A former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika is in the cross

hairs of the United States as that nation is insisting that the former

army top gun be probed for alleged diversion of funds meant for the

procurement of weapons and other warfare equipment meant for the army.

Pointblanknews.com sources hinted that Ihejirika who arguably one of the

wealthiest retired Generals allegedly pocketed billions of naira meant for

the Army.
According to our source, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle

raised the issue when he met recently with President Goodluck Jonathan in

Abuja.
Ambassador Entwisle at the meeting at the Presidential Villa, said the U.S

is particularly concerned about the sudden riches of Ihejirika.

Ihejirika, who was fingered as one of the sponsors of Boko Haram by the

Australian hostage negotiator, Davies, is the front-runner for the Abia

state Gover‎norship seat.
Pointblanknews.com learnt that the US Ambassador told Jonathan that the

Americans who were in Nigeria to assist in the fight against insurgents

were shocked to find out that what was on ground did not match the

billions allocated under Ihejirika's watch.
There have been pockets of grumbling amongst the army rank and file over

obsolete and some times lack of top shelf weapons. This boiled over when

some soldiers mutinied against a General. Those soldiers were court

martialed and sentenced to death.
In 2012 alone the defence budget for capital expenditure was N34.36

Billion‎ with a whooping N5.71 Billion earmarked for the acquisition

of equipment by the Army.
U.S President Barack Obama or the Secretary of state, John Kerry is

expected to discuss the issue with Jonathan at some close sessions during

the United Nations General Assembly.
The alleged rot and high level corruption in the military, sources said,

has affected the morale of the Americans who here as technical partners

and advisers.
Entwistle, it was learnt told Jonathan, every top military officer should

be held accountable if he wants the US to be part of the fight against

insurgents.
Pointblanknews.com also gathered that the high level corruption, contract

inflation and purchase of obsolete equipment and arms cut across the three

services.
This rot made Defence minister General Aliyu Gusau to insist that every

contract or procurement must pass through his office. Curiously, this move

did not go down well with the service chiefs who had hitherto enjoyed

autonomy.
Said our source ” the Americans want Ihejirika and his cohort probed. They

are insisting that the Government must hold thieving Generals accountable

if Nigeria wants them to be part of the fight against Boko Haram”

“The Ambassador expressed his nations unhappiness with what Ihejirika did

with the billions allocated to the Army. They are insisting he be probed.

We all know he is one of the riches retired Generals‎ around. He

made billions that is why he wants to be Abia Governor,” said our source