The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and members of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on Arms and Ammunition exchanged some words today as the army boss finally appeared in person before them.
The committee is probing the purchase of arms and ammunition by the military in the past few years.
Attahiru was asked to bring some documents in relation to the budgets approved for arms procurement and how they were spent.
When asked to speak on the documents he provided, he bluntly told them he had produced the documents they asked him but would not speak further on them.
He reminded the committee that he just assumed office. He said the issues surrounding the procurement of arms should be answered by the “specific individuals” who initiated the purchase.
Attahiru said: “The submission before you speaks to the report before you. It is an executive summary. It is very self-explanatory to the extent that it has been pluralised. When you demanded this report, you stated a specific period for which you wanted it.
“You may wish to recall that the Chief of Army Staff took over the mantle of leadership barely two months ago.
“The period for which you want this report, having been summarised in the executive summary, explained whatever details you require.
“Issues of arms procurement that you so demand to know were done by specific individuals. I would rather you call these individuals to explain to you very specific issues. The general explanation is contained in this report.”
A member of the committee, Ejiro Ogene, had earlier criticised the COAS for not apologising for his inability to appear before the committee earlier.
The committee member said:
“When we ask you to come, the people are the ones speaking. Sovereignty lies in the people; if we see it like this, things will be different.
“I expect that the COAS tenders an apology, not an explanation; you are serving the people and they are your employer.”
Attahiru responded that his explanation should be enough.
“When you say I offered an explanation, it is as good as an apology. It only tells you the reasons why I wasn’t here and the reasons are cogent enough.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Olaide Akinremi, at that juncture ruled that the hearing should proceed into a closed-door session.
The media were consequently excused from the hearing.
