FEDERAL
government has recalled a total of nine Defence attaches in some of the
Nigerian embassies following allegations of misconducts leveled against them
adding that disciplinary actions will be taken against them accordingly.
Countries
were in China, the United States, Britain, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mali,
Benin Republic and Ghana.
The
new Defence Attaches are:
Brig-Gen. T.O.B Ademola (Beijing); Brig-Gen. A.O.
Abdullahi (London); Brig-Gen. I. Isa (New York); Col. N. U. Mukhtar(Islamabad);
Col. K.C. Okoro(Addis Ababa) of the Nigerian Army Investigation Bureau; Col. M.
Adamu (Dar-es-salaam); Col. I.E.E. Akpaumontia (Bamako) formerly of 9 Brigade;
Col. A.A. Babalola(Cotonou) who was Commanding Officer of 212
Battalion; and Col. H.D. Bobbo(Accra.
However,
the development is creating some controversies in the military circle as some
allege that the action taken didn’t follow due process vis-à-vis rules guiding
the deployment of defence attaches adding that the recalled attaches were not subjected
to fair hearing or any disciplinary procedure before they were dropped.
According
to a source, it takes between six weeks and six months to screen and secure
accreditation for new defence attaches.
It
will be recalled that the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, in a
June 10 letter to some services, ministries and foreign missions approved the
withdrawal of the attaches stating that their conducts were found prejudicial
to Service discipline having committed various civil offences as stipulated in
the relevant sections of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 the Law of the
Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Among
the misconducts alleged to have been committed by the attaches are
insubordination and other security breaches against the unity of the
federation. Another source had alleged that some of the attaches were
implicated in the ongoing arms procurement scandal under investigation as well
as motionless in the federal government concerted efforts to fostering a
vibrant relationship with the international community.
“One
of the officers allegedly misbehaved during President Muhammadu Buhari’s
overseas trip. He bungled logistics for a hitch-free visit and he was not
remorseful.
“The
said attaché committed in unpardonable security breach. There is no way the
government can retain such an officer in a sensi8tive post like this, a source
said.
The
list of the new attaches has been released to the relevant agencies, ministries
and foreign missions.
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