SAN FRANCISCO, April 03, (THEWILL) – Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to explain how about $250million of the $500million recovered from the family of the late Head of State, Gen.Sani Abacha, was withdrawn.
According to the Nation, the cash was released to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) without appropriation while about $36,155,000 (N13,015,800 billion) out of the $250million was also withdrawn in cash “without any purpose” on March 2nd, 9th, 16th and 18th of 2015.
It reported that the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has approved Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s letter of invitation which has been sent to her.
“Following preliminary findings, a strong recommendation was made to the Acting EFCC chairman for an interactive session with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“Magu has approved the invitation of the ex-minister. We have dispatched a letter of invitation to her. We are hopeful that she will respond.
“Her presence is necessary because there were issues about the $250million released especially why $36,155,000(N13,015,800billion) was withdrawn in cash.
“She needs to assist the EFCC team on what became of the balance of $250million which was yet to be traced.
“She has to explain why some of the funds were diverted to extraneous matters including media services, opinion polls and personal matters,” it reported.
