Is Nigerian leader's pal 'fantastically corrupt'? Friend of African president accused of stealing £500million

* Muhammadu Buhari seen by some as leading the battle against corruption
*But worrying allegations swirl around one of Nigerian leader's close allies
*Rotimi Amaechi accused of misappropriating £338m commission probing sale of state assets
*Also accused of diverting £140m of state funds into Buhari’s presidential campaign

When David Cameron was caught on camera last week before an anti-corruption summit describing Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt’, the African state’s president rallied to the Prime Minister’s defence by agreeing with him.

But although Muhammadu Buhari is seen by some as leading the battle against corruption, worrying allegations swirl around one of his close allies.

Rotimi Amaechi, who travelled with the president to the summit, is Nigeria’s transport minister and is said to have bankrolled Buhari’s presidential campaign.

In the Nigerian press he has been dubbed ‘ATM’ – the American term for cash machine – because of his ability to produce vast sums of money at short notice.

He remains in his post despite being accused of misappropriating £338million by a commission investigating the sale of state assets.

Some of that money is likely to have come from UK taxpayers, who gave the country £1billion in aid over five years to 2014, including £248million in 2014 alone.

Separately, Amaechi is accused of diverting £140million of state funds into Buhari’s presidential campaign, with reports he paid for media, consultants and private jets.

The allegations come as the president stands accused of enjoying a lavish lifestyle while many millions suffer in poverty.

A leaked draft budget for 2016 showed the Nigerian government earmarked £16million for the refurbishment and maintenance of the president’s official residence, Aso Rock Guest House, in the capital Abuja.

There was also a request for £13million for building a VIP wing at a hospital used by families of the president and his ministerial team.

Mr Amaechi has denied the allegations against him.

bigboss80s:
I think Buhari should go easy on those who stole money that was meant for bribing INEC officials for GEJ's reelection since his election was funded by dirty money as well.
The truth is that it is close to impossible to become Nigeria's president without making certain compromises but that doesn't mean that we can't change things.

seunmsg:
This useless UK dailymail again? Instead of investigating their stories properly and getting the facts of the matter, they just copy unsubstantiated lies from PDP propaganda sites and publish to unsuspecting British public.

If any commission in Rivers state is so sure that Amaechi misappropriated £338million, the Rivers state government through the Rivers state ministry of justice should charge him to court. He has no immunity from criminal prosecution, they should charge him to court and stop making wild allegations.

Buhari is already prosecuting those who stole at the federal level, state should please join the fight against corruption by prosecuting those who stole state funds.

DropShot:
If Amaechi actually stole from Rivers state and the current governor cannot prosecute him, he is an Ineffectual Buffoon.

Buhari is to FG what Wike is to Rivers State. EOD.

DropShot:
If Amaechi actually stole from Rivers state and the current governor cannot prosecute him, he is an Ineffectual Buffoon.

Buhari is to FG what Wike is to Rivers State. EOD.

DropShot:
If Amaechi actually stole from Rivers state and the current governor cannot prosecute him, he is an Ineffectual Buffoon.

Buhari is to FG what Wike is to Rivers State. EOD.

helpee:
now that it is amaechi, EFCC should keep quiet while ministry of justice should take over. so, essentially, EFCC is now the prosecuting arm of APC. for your information, it is the duty of EFCC to investigate and prosecute financial crimes whether it involves husband and wife or state or federal govt.

seunmsg:


EFCC is not the only agency with powers of prosecution. When a civil servant steals from the state government, they don't usually wait for EFCC to prosecute him. Tell the ministry of justice in Rivers to do their job since EFCC have refused to prosecute. This is a federal democracy and the federal government doesn't have a monopoly over which case to prosecute or not.

successmatters:


Are you just coming back? Has wike not submitted his report after investigation. The efcc just decided to ignore the governor because he is from pdp.

DaBullIT:
I am reading and i don't understand


first the writeup says He remains in his post despite being accused of misappropriating £338million by a commission investigating the sale of state assets.

Then the writeup says he bankrolled the president's campaign


Someone please tell me which assets Amaechi sold in Rivers state that is worth 338 M pounds

seunmsg:


EFCC is not the only agency with powers of prosecution. When a civil servant steals from the state government, they don't usually wait for EFCC to prosecute him. Tell the ministry of justice in Rivers to do their job since EFCC have refused to prosecute. This is a federal democracy and the federal government doesn't have a monopoly over which case to prosecute or not.

DropShot:

So, what happens to taking him to court based on evidences?

helpee:
so you agree that EFCC is being used by buhari abi? maybe each state should promulgate a law that will set up their own state financial crimes commission such that as EFCC is exonerating UMAR the state will be indicting him

successmatters:


Is it Anambra state government that took olisa metuh to court?

DropShot:

Each state has other mechanism to prosecute and recover stolen assets.

This report is obviously sponsored. If not, let Wike take Amaechi to court. After all, he set up judicial enquiry for that purpose. What has happened to the committee's report since?

Next tori joor.

helpee:
so you agree that EFCC is being used by buhari abi? maybe each state should promulgate a law that will set up their own state financial crimes commission such that as EFCC is exonerating UMAR the state will be indicting him