Nigerian Senator Kalu Reveals Past Involvement in International Arms Trade

Nigerian Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has spoken about his past involvement in the international arms trade, revealing that he sold heavy weapons to countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia. According to Kalu, his business was driven by profit, and he sold to anyone who could pay. He made these revelations in an interview with Arise News, where he discussed his business background and relationships with South African leaders.

Kalu, who represents Abia North in the Senate and is a former governor of Abia State, explained that his arms trading business took him outside Nigeria before he stopped following intervention from his parents. He described the weapons he traded as "heavy arms" sold across country borders, distinguishing them from the small weapons commonly circulated in Nigeria. Kalu did not disclose the source of his weapons, stating that it was "only his business."

During the interview, Kalu was asked about supplying weapons to the African National Congress (ANC) during the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He responded that he sold to anyone who wanted to buy and could pay, without specifying any particular transactions. The interview also touched on the potential use of the weapons by customers, with Kalu stating that his focus was on making money, not on the end-use of the arms.

Kalu's past business dealings were also linked to Libya's late leader, Muammar Gaddafi. When asked if he supplied weapons to Gaddafi, Kalu repeated that he sold to anyone with the money to buy, suggesting that this could have included the former Libyan leader. However, he did not identify any specific transactions with Gaddafi. Kalu described Gaddafi as "a good man" and reiterated that his business was based on the condition that buyers had to have the money to purchase.

The senator explained that he exited the arms trading business following intervention from his parents, who asked him to stop. He confirmed that he was an arms dealer, stating, "Yes, so I stopped because my... But my parents, my mother, my father came and said I must stop, and I stopped." This decision marked the end of his involvement in the international arms trade.

Kalu also discussed his relationships with various South African presidents, tracing them back to his friendship with Nelson Mandela. According to Kalu, Mandela introduced him to former President Thabo Mbeki and current President Cyril Ramaphosa. He recounted a story about Mandela explaining the ANC's choice of Mbeki over Ramaphosa as deputy, based on their contributions to the struggle against apartheid.

Kalu's relationships with South African leaders continued through different administrations, with Mbeki later introducing him to former President Jacob Zuma. The senator highlighted that these relationships have endured as various governments have taken over in South Africa. His revelations provide insight into his business background and international connections.

Key points

• Senator Orji Uzor Kalu sold heavy weapons across borders to anyone with the money to buy.
• Kalu's arms trading business was driven by profit, without consideration for the end-use of the weapons.
• He exited the business following intervention from his parents.