What transpired during the meeting that was held on August 6 between President Muhammadu Bahari and former president, Goodluck Jonathan, at the Aso Villa, Abuja, is coming to light.
Buhari confronted Jonathan with evidence of discreet probes that were conducted by the new government into the officials that served in the Jonathan-led administration, New Telegraph reports.
The proof of high-level corruption committed under Jonathan’s presidency concerned corrupt oil deals, arms purchases, diversion of funds and other infractions.
Based on what was gathered, Buhari had to present this evidence to prove to Jonathan that his anti-corruption war was not meant to witch-hunt anyone as the opposition to the fight against official corruption would want the public to believe.
A source disclosed that the president went on to show Jonathan evidence of recoveries made so far in terms of assets and funds from some officials of the immediate past government.
It was further learnt that one of the reports that the president showed Jonathan was an investigation carried out by a security agency on an aide of the former president from whom about N1.5billion had been recovered.
A government source said: “The president showed Dr. Jonathan some discoveries made on several infractions by officials of his (Jonathan’s) administration. He justified why his administration must recover looted funds and prosecute the offenders. It was a frank talk between the two leaders.
“President Muhammadu Buhari availed Dr. Jonathan of reports of various discreet probes on oil deals, diversion of funds and unwholesome arms deals. From the reports, there is overwhelming evidence of infractions which the former president could not dispute.
“Buhari stated that he was not out to humiliate Jonathan in his fight against graft and assured him of his highest regards for the former president,” the source stated.
It was learnt that Jonathan told Buhari that he was not aware of the corrupt deals allegedly committed by his aides, including the ones by his chiefs of staff, who could have helped him to unravel the alleged shady deals committed by some top officials.
The former president was said to have reportedly assured Buhari of his willingness to cooperate with the new government if the need arises.
“From the evidence so far, it is either the former president lacks the capacity to govern or abdicated his responsibilities.
“Otherwise, he must have been part of the infractions,” the source added.