Okonjo-Iweala appears before SSS, police for security clearance

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Written by Taiwo Adisa Tuesday, 05 July 2011

FORMER Minister of Finance and Managing Director of World Bank, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday completed her security screening preparatory to being named a minister.

It was gathered that the former minister, who has been nominated into the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan, appeared briefly before the team of operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) after which she also saw the service’s Director-General, Mr Ita Ekpeyong.

Sources said that her appearance was like a mere formality, as her clearance had been concluded even before her appearance at the agency’s office.

A source said that her stay with the operatives lasted barely 10 minutes as she was promptly discharged.

It was gathered that the SSS hierarchy had, after combing Okonjo-Iweala’s files, discovered that there was nothing that should stop her from being confirmed as minister of the Federal Republic.

Okonjo-Iweala was also said to have undergone fingerprint formalities with the police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Her return to the country and eventual appearance has apparently put a lie to moves by some personalities aimed at dissuading her from serving the government.

Sources had said at the weekend that Okonjo-Iweala had been receiving some threat messages in her United States base and that a former minister had also personally discouraged the former Finance Minister.

Sources said that the plot to stop her from serving as minister was largely based on the fear that her coming would give credibility to the government before the international financial community.

Besides, some businessmen, who believed that her knowledge of the financial sector and the Finance Ministry could undercut their plans, were also said to be behind the plot to dissuade Okonjo-Iweala from serving as minister.

“I can confirm to you that all is set for the Senate to invite Mrs Okonjo-Iweala as a ministerial nominee on Tuesday. On Monday, she appeared before the SSS and she completed her fingerprint formalities at the police. She has no issues with securing security clearance and she has accepted the offer to serve,” a source in the know said.

It was gathered that her brief appearance before the SSS was as a result of what was regarded as clean record of service.

A source said that the security agency had not received a petition against her since she left government in 2007.

It was gathered that the Senate would invite her on Tuesday [today]. A source, however, added that besides inviting her, the Senate could go ahead and screen her the same day.

Said the source: “I think the Senate might break protocol and make her appear for screening tomorrow [today]. She is seen as someone who has paid her dues.”

The names of other seven nominees would also be unveiled alongside Okonjo-Iweala, who is being tipped for a return to the Ministry of Finance.

Aganga going, going, gone??

2day she's coming on board, 2mro she is not interested.
Where's that useless SR now?consistently serving us with fake info

Odunnu:

2day she's coming on board, 2mro she is not interested.
Where's that useless SR now?consistently serving us with fake info

lol. You need to educate urself on the role of SR (SW mouthpiece) in things regarding ndigbo. SR and its likes are created to obfuscate anything Igbo

Na dem go tire.

Segun Aganga needs to go, he's generally clueless. I'll take an economist over an investment banker for that position any day!

THank God.

I'm beginning to like this GEJ guy o!!

This is the best decision he has made as a president.

Now he needs to remove Farida. That one just open supermarket in EFCC and is colleting money from every corruption persons.