The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on purchase of arms and ammunition, on Friday, insisted that the Chief of Army Staff, Attahiru Ibrahim, a lieutenant general, must appear in person to clarify issues on purchase of arms by the Nigerian Army.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Bede Eke (PDP-Imo) at a public hearing in Abuja.
Mr. Ibrahim had sent a team of officers led by Charles Ofoche, a major general, to represent him at the event.
A member of the Committee, Ifeanyi Mouma (APGA-Anambra), while raising a point of order at the hearing, said a written invitation was sent to COAS by the committee to appear in person.
“For me as a member of this committee which is supposed to actually lay ground facts for the people of Nigeria on the objective that this committee was set up.
“I do not think the representative of the Chief Army Staff can be held culpable or liable for the remarks made here because it is assumed that any remarks made here is made by the Chief of Army Staff.
“So if he is not the one making the remarks, it makes it very easy for him to actually engage in culpable deniability since he is not the one making the remarks,” he said.
Mr. Ofoche had tendered the apology of COAS for his inability to appear in person.
He explained that the COAS, who was recently appointed, has been on a tour of formations in the country to get first-hand information on the state of troops.
“He was in Ibadan and Enugu yesterday all for the same security needs; the country is embroiled in a lot of crises so he is moving around,” he said.
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