House Of Reps, Army Chief Clash Over Questionable Arms Purchase Deal

• Army Chief refused to speak on the report he submitted to the committee.
  
  A faceoff ensued on Monday between the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Attairu Ibrahim and Representatives ad hoc committee investigating arms procurement.
  
  The army chief appeared before the committee on Monday to give clear and comprehensive details on purchase of weapon, especially as it regards claims that funds earmarked for procurement of military hardware can’t be accountable for.

However, what should have been a routine exercise between both parties quickly morphed into a ruckus after the the army chief refused to apologise to the committee over his inability to honour prior invitations.

It would be recalled that the Committee had summoned the COAS and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele on the 22nd of March and the 7th of April respectively.

During his appearance on Monday, the COAS said he was unable to make it to the summons due to different engagements over internal security.

He also refused to speak on the report he submitted to the committee.

“An explanation is as good as an apology. Even a blind man knows that there are internal security challenges in the country. The same way you work for the people, that is the same way I work for the people. I have a command under me and they are also Nigerians.

On the report, he said the executive summary should suffice. This assertion infuriated some members of the committee who argued that he should speak under oath.

Bede Eke, a member of the Committee asked the “COAS to speak on the record, to be sure that it emanated from the office of the COAS.”

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