Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has requested the Federal Government to call Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole to order over the Governor’s recent efforts to link her name to the alleged $2.1 billion arms issue.
The Minister stressed that she has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.
She stated that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.
As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would have left Edo state with a heavy debt burden and the the state would have found it very difficult to pay back.
She said that it is unconscionable for the Governor to embark on a campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request.
She described the Governor’s unsubstantiated allegations as a cynical personalization of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble objectives.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala therefore put Oshiomhole and his ilk on notice that she has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means, local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and compromised persons.
It has become a pattern of behavior that each time Dr. Ngozi OKonjo-Iweala is internationally recognized, Governor Oshiomole and his cohorts embark on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally. Just last night, December 1st, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was honored at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honored alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity.
Gov Oshiomole and his cohorts should realize that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala's reputation will never succeed!
Paul Nwabuikwu
Media Adviser to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala
Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomole says former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ought to be made to face criminal prosecution in the ongoing $2.1 billion arms deal probe. In an exclusive interview with Leadership newspaper, Oshiomole said Dasuki in his defense stated that Former President Jonathan approved the release of the money for the purchase of the arms, a claim that has since been denied by Jonathan.
Oshiomole said it was criminal of Jonathan and Okonjo-Iweala to spend money that wasn't approved by the National Assembly ...
“The issue is whether the Nigerian President under the constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal government- funds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly. That is a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution. These things are just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the truth and don’t care what people will say. Talking about revelation, look at the letter credited to Dasuki – the immediate past National Security Adviser. In his defence which I read in your paper, he seems to admit that money was spent but it was approved by the President. Does the Nigerian constitution empower the President to spend money which has not been appropriated by the National Assembly? And they took cash from the CBN. The Money Laundering Act says if you take cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal. So, by Dasuki’s letter, he has also confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala is a privy to spending money never appropriated and therefore criminal, and that cash were being moved contrary to the money laundering act. Just using Dasuki’s own defence, you can see a case of conspiracy has been established between Dasuki, Okonjo-Iweala and all those involved in that transaction,” Oshiomhole said
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