The Rivers State governor, Nyosom Wike, has claimed ownership of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23, 218,000 discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.
On Friday the National Intelligence Agency reportedly claimed the money, saying it was meant for a covert operation.
According to reports, former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the fund for the NIA after its immediate-past director-general, Olaniyi Oladeji, alerted him to the need for some “crucial and covert security projects” scattered across the country, particularly in Lagos.
But in a new twist, Mr Wike on Friday night in Port Harcourt said the money was part of what was stolen and hidden in the Ikoyi house by his predecessor and current minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, from proceeds of sale of the state’s gas turbines to Sahara Energy.
Mr. Wike therefore demanded that the money be returned to his state, giving federal government a seven-day ultimatum.
“We have facts to prove that the said money belongs to the Rivers State Government. The Federal Government must return our money,” said the governor.
“We are giving them seven days to return our money. Otherwise, we would take legal action to recover our money. $43million will help us complete several projects. We need that money for projects.
“If you recollect in 2015, we said that gas turbines built by Former Governor Peter Odili were sold to Sahara Energy, business partners of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at $319 million.
“That money was used to sponsor the All Progressives Congress for the 2015 general elections. From the date of sale of the gas turbines to May 29, 2015, the money depleted from $319million to $204,000. What was stashed at the Ikoyi residence was part of that fund.
“As I speak to you, the Federal Government is so embarrassed that this has happened. All the stories that the money belongs to the NIA are fake.”
Mr. Amaechi, through his media aide, David Iyofor, however denied ownership of the money, just as a former national chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, also disowned the money and the building.
