Our source gathers that a source revealed that though speculations put the stolen money at N400million, the actual amount involved was N70 million and $90,000.
Otki has reportedly denied that the money belongs to him, and is said to be cooperating with the investigators.
The former GOC reportedly said “he does not handle payment of troops allowances,” which is directly done by the Army Headquarters’ Finance Department.
Some investigators are, however, asking how Otiki got involved in the movement of such amount of money when he is not a licensed bureau de change operator or a bank.
They are determined to discover the money’s purpose and Otiki’s interest in it.
As GOC, Otiki had a N10 million running cost which had not been released in the last two months. The running cost will reportedly now be paid to Otiki’s successor, Major General J.J. Ogunlade.
According to reports, insinuations that the money might have been returns from illegal miners in Zamfara state have been dismissed by the investigators.
The military source reportedly disclosed that the said governor and BDC operator have been invited over the matter; however, it is not yet known if they’ve honoured the invitation.
In the mean time, signals have been sent from the Army HQ to all formations, to extend their dragnet in search of the absconded five soldiers.
Recall that our source previously reported that Major General Hakeem Otiki was placed under house arrest at the Officers Mess.
Otiki was held following the reported theft of N400 million by soldiers escorting a VIP from Sokoto to Kaduna.
The matter was said to have been reported to the authorities by one of the soldiers in the escort who refused to join his colleagues in the crime.
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