The Presidency has reacted, saying it would not interfere in the arrest and probe of one of the associate of President Muhammadu Buhari - Jafaru Isah - by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged involvement in the Dasukigate scandal.
Jafaru, Military Administrator of Kaduna State from December 1993 to August 1996, during the military regime of Sani Abacha and one-time governorship candidate of the defunct CPC in Kano State, is the first chieftain of the ruling APC to be arrested by EFCC since the beginning of a probe into the alleged diversion of $2.1billion meant for arms purchase by officials of the immediate-past administration.
An aide of the President told Vanguard in confidence that although Jafaru Isah was a close political ally to President Buhari, the first citizen would nonetheless remain neutral in the matter, in line with his avowed position to deal decisively with corruption.
While describing Jafaru as a political ally, who had been with Buhari from the days of the defunct ANPP to the CPC, the aide made it clear that the long relationship did not in any way suggest that Buhari will cover anyone who relevant agencies have found wanting with regards to corruption.
Jafaru is also described as a close friend of the embattled ex-NSA, Dasuki, who is facing multiple charges over alleged money laundering and breach of public trust in three courts.
It could not be established last night whether Jafaru was given the N100m by Dasuki for some contracts or because of their closeness or both.
Jafaru was arrested at his Abuja residence located on Ajayi Crowther Street, Asokoro by operatives of the anti-graft commission around 9pm on Wednesday when he failed to honour an invitation to clear the air on some payments traced to him from Dasuki.
