No fewer than 30 representatives of lawyers have raised concerns over the alleged corruption with the Nigeria Army hierarchy and its Chief of Logistics, Major General Erema Akerejola.
Addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the spokesperson of the group, Barr. Shola Fakorede, called for proper investigation into the alleged diversion of military budget.
Bar. Fakorede said: “We gather here today as representatives of 30 lawyers to address a pressing matter concerning the Nigerian Army and its Chief of Logistics, Major General Erema Akerejola. Our intention is to raise awareness about the alleged corruption within the Nigerian military hierarchy and to seek justice for those affected.
“Recent documents obtained by SaharaReporters have revealed that Major General Akerejola owns a million-dollar property in the United States. This property, located at 11860 Old Station Pl, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30004, is currently valued at $1,013,000. It has come to our attention that these funds were diverted from the military budget, causing grave concern regarding the misuse of resources.
“Furthermore, it has been alleged that Major General Akerejola has multiple properties in the United States, collectively worth over $10 million, in addition to properties in Abuja. The purchase of these properties in his wife’s name, Motunrayo Eunice Akerejola, raises questions about transparency and accountability.
“We cannot ignore the significant impact these actions have on the welfare of our soldiers. As soldiers fight against Islamist insurgents in Nigeria’s northeast zone, funds that should be allocated for their feeding, medical care, and payment of allowances are being, allegedly, diverted by army generals for personal gains. This not only hinders the fight against terrorism but also puts the lives of our brave soldiers at risk.
He added that: “It is disheartening to note that over the past four years, more than 5,000 soldiers have resigned from the Nigerian Army due to reasons such as loss of interest, intimidation by superiors, corruption, and low morale. These soldiers have voiced their concerns about the deep-seated corruption within the army, which they believe directly affects the fight against terrorism in the Northeast.
“In December 2022, the Army authorities made a decision to no longer accept “loss of interest” and “low morale” as grounds for approval of voluntary retirement. However, this decision fails to address the underlying issues and does not address the need for transparency and accountability within the military.
“We would like to draw attention to a recent case where Major General Umar Muazu Mohammed, former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, was court-martialed for fraud. He was found guilty of stealing millions of dollars and was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison. The Special Court-Martial that tried him ordered him to pay back the sums he had stolen. This case highlights the urgent need for accountability within our military institutions.
“We stand before you today to demand justice for the soldiers who risk their lives daily to protect our nation. We intend to file a lawsuit against Major General Akerejola to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of military funds.
He therefore, called on relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate these allegations, and if found guilty, appropriate actions should be taken to hold those responsible accountable.
In addition to the legal proceedings, Bar. Fakorede said the group of lawyers will be embarking on a peaceful advocacy campaign to expose corruption within the Nigerian military hierarchy.
“We believe that by shedding light on these issues, we can bring about positive change for the welfare and integrity of our armed forces”, he said.
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