A prosecution witness in the trial of former chairman of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi on Tuesday claimed that he (Dokpesi) was paid without executing any contract with the Officer of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
Salisu Shuaibu, a former Director of Finance in the ONSA, testified at an Abuja Federal High Court that the sum of N2.1 billion was transferred to Dokpesi through the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) in four tranches of N500m each.
Led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Salisu stated that a contract would usually require an agreement with the company prepared by the legal officer at ONSA and approved by the NSA, which was not done in the payment to Dokpesi.
He testified that on the four occasions, he was instructed by the then NSA, Sambo Dasuki to prepare the payment mandate for him to sign while he (Salisu) counter-signs. The document will then be forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for execution.
He said the processing of payment mandate for contractors of the ONSA began under the tenure of late General Owoeye Azazi and was used for the purchase of military hardwares, explaining that the contracts do not include media campaigns.
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This payment is the first time we are budgeting for media campaign in the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.
However, being cross examined by defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Salisu admitted that the ONSA was not a procurement agency under the Procurement Act, but added that the office enjoys some exemptions in the area of purchase of military equipment.
The case has been adjourned to February 7 and 8, 2017 for continuation of hearing.
