Presidency has revealed why Muhammadu Buhari is shielding his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan from prosecution.Femi Adesina, presidential media aide, in the interview granted to the Vanguard, discussed several issues of national importance. While answered if it is true that Buhari is protecting ex-president from prosecution, he said:
“People who say that don’t know this president. He shields nobody. Anybody that needs to be asked question can be asked question. I had said this to one media house and the next it published that I said Buhari will prosecute Jonathan. What I am saying is that, if it comes to anybody to be asked question, that person will have to be asked. But you also know that a former president must be given some dignity. Every dignity that he requires must be given to him.”
Ha added:
“This is nine months, nobody is blaming Jonathan but, like the President said in a broadcast, nobody needs to be afraid of him but people should be afraid of the consequences of their actions. So, if President Jonathan ruled for six years, there were actions and if those actions were not up to par, they would have consequences. That is what is happening and so it is not about blaming Jonathan. It is just consequences of actions and inactions, that is all.
“The government does not prosecute. It is agencies that prosecute. The government is not the one that would arrest and arraign. It is agencies that have that responsibility that do that. And you know President Buhari, he will not tamper with the process,” Adesina responded to PDP critics that said Buhari’s government is selective.
President Buhari ordered a probe last year after funds meant to buy arms to fight Boko Haram militants were allegedly diverted. Nigeria’s former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki was arrested for supposedly stealing some $2 billion in relation to arms deals, his representatives. However, Dasuki, who served under Jonathan, denied allegations that he awarded phantom contracts to purchase 12 helicopters, four fighter jets and ammunition.