SAN FRANCISCO, December 02, (THEWILL) – A former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Wednesday distanced herself from the alleged $2.1 billion arms procurement scandal involving the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). This was as she requested the Federal Government to call Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State for trying to soil her name with the matter.
Following the arrest of Dasuki, former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and the ex-Chairman of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi by security operatives in connection with the ongoing arms deal saga, Oshiomhole yesterday requested the federal government to also prosecute Okonjo-Iweala for approving and spending from the excess crude account without appropriation by the National Assembly.
He equally demanded that former President Goodluck Jonathan should be prosecuted for approving the release of funds running into billions of dollars for the procurement of arms for counter-terrorism operations while he held sway as President.
But reacting through a statement issued by Paul Nwabuikwu, her Media Adviser, the former Minister stressed that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for the Edo State Governor “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.”
Nwabuikwu further stated that, “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 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 Oshiomhole 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!” the statement concluded.
