₦airaland Forum

MaziOmenuko:
She presided over? How? She gets direct instruction from her principal to release funds to NSA to help buy military hardware for the fight against boko haram; was she expected to say no? She was smart enough to put it in written and get the authorisation of her boss, that's the smartest thing to do. Would she have resisted the purchase of arms to fight terrorism in her country or how was she to know beforehand that NSA will turn to an ATM?

Don't forget that she had earlier resigned under OBJ when the budget office was removed from ministry of finance and she insisted it be brought back so claiming she was being loyal to her boss against her country is a fallacy.

I am sure if news came out that NOI refused to approve funds meant to buy military hardware for the fight against terrorism, you will be among the first to label her a boko sponsor and posit that the SE is in support of terrorism against the north.

From your point of view, you accept there was misappropriation of funds but NOI's principal (GEJ) not NOI should be held accountable. According to you, she was just following instructions right? I see nothing wrong in her coming to throw more light on how she followed instructions given to her by her boss.

M16:
She did not resign, she was redeployed to Foreign Affairs, before kicked out by OBJ

The first time OBJ appointed her as finance minister, she opted out becuase of budget office which was then under the presidency. Do a little research before spreading your ignorance on a public forum.

Ex-President Jonathan and his COLONY OF LOOTERS never had the thought that one day they will be called to answer for their misdeed.

Now it is payback time for their sins.

OKONJI-IWEALA will soon be rope into this case.

When Ex-governor Oshiomole questioned this Okonji Iweala role in the affairs, she made to look like she was being witch-hunted.

But gradually and gradually Madam Gele will soon be made answerable for her past acttions.

But Jonathan was the commander in chief. the buck land at his table.

EX-PRESIDENT JONATHAN SHOULD BE ANSWERABLE FOR THE PAST MISDEED OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS WHO WORKED UNDER HIM.

smirn:
Where is the blueprint since 1999? What is wrong in inviting her for clarifications? I will continue to make it clear that Nigeria will never move forward until the mistakes of the past is properly looked into and appropriate corrections made for a better future.

Go and do your research on notable world leaders who made impact. They all came with clear blueprint on how to move their respective nations forward.

If you are ok with this diectionless government, just go to church on Sunday kneel before God and ask him to bring back your senses.

seunmsg:
NOI was the finance minister in that period. If there are questions to be answered about how the revenues of the country was mismanaged, she should be the first person to be questioned. I really don't get why you think she should not be invited.

As the chief finance officer of the federal government, she should have advised the president on the illegality of withdrawing funds without the appropriate budgetary approval from the national assembly. The president doesn't have the powers to order the release of funds not appropriated by the national assembly. She knew very well that the money was going to be stolen and that was why she crafted her letter to mumu Jonathan in such a manner as to absolve herself. In saner climes, someone like her will never be allowed any where near a public office again. I really don't get why any objective person will be defending this woman.

i think in allthat transired in the past administration, NOI was more interested in saving herself than enforcing due diligence. Cant really blame her though. like she was aware money was being wacked , knew it was beyond her powers to stop it, maybe even distanced herself from the spoils, but ensured she secured herself from possible prosecution in future.

seunmsg:
NOI was the finance minister in that period. If there are questions to be answered about how the revenues of the country was mismanaged, she should be the first person to be questioned. I really don't get why you think she should not be invited.

As the chief finance officer of the federal government, she should have advised the president on the illegality of withdrawing funds without the appropriate budgetary approval from the national assembly. The president doesn't have the powers to order the release of funds not appropriated by the national assembly. She knew very well that the money was going to be stolen and that was why she crafted her letter to mumu Jonathan in such a manner as to absolve herself. In saner climes, someone like her will never be allowed any where near a public office again. I really don't get why any objective person will be defending this woman.

Way are u saying?? All the recovered Loot in buharis time which have gotten approval from the national assembly b4 being spent?

Has buhari not being sharing the looted funds gotten from his anti corruption war as he likes? I don't even know if he has any memo to back the spending up as we can't see the effects

fiizznation:
Yeah buhari might be a failure but at least he is still a million times better than the 16 wasted years of PDP. Go figure

NOI will b like d princes(buhari n mudslingers like u) cometh but have nothing on me. U're given a false hope as usual.

Wiseandtrue:
Is Magu still the chairman of EFCC

I would not advice Iweala to appear before this caricature government!

This government is upside down!

I think she handed over to someone

They should go and check the record and where it is not cleared her successor should be the one to explain

Cause it is assumed that she understood what was handed over to her! and if not, she should consult her predecessor!

Ngozi Iweala no go tarnish your image oooooo cause this government is not serious at all!

Even the ones recovered are not visible around us!

are u okay

seunmsg:
NOI was the finance minister in that period. If there are questions to be answered about how the revenues of the country was mismanaged, she should be the first person to be questioned. I really don't get why you think she should not be invited.

As the chief finance officer of the federal government, she should have advised the president on the illegality of withdrawing funds without the appropriate budgetary approval from the national assembly. The president doesn't have the powers to order the release of funds not appropriated by the national assembly. She knew very well that the money was going to be stolen and that was why she crafted her letter to mumu Jonathan in such a manner as to absolve herself. In saner climes, someone like her will never be allowed any where near a public office again. I really don't get why any objective person will be defending this woman.

Did you read that her recommendation was to grant the money as loan? Do you even know that the president of Nigeria can decide to label any amount as security vote and nobody can question that? This woman doesn't appear to have any business in this matter. She did her job and unfortunately most Nigerians that will never get to her meticulously achieved heights will remain in their penury due to shortsightedness and negative emotions.

slimghost:
Go and do your research on notable world leaders who made impact. They all came with clear blueprint on how to move their respective nations forward.

If you are ok with this diectionless government, just go to church on Sunday kneel before God and ask him to bring back your senses.

Yeah you are right, they in fact came with magic wand.
What happened in 16 years of PDP can only be described as GANG RAPING of the country.
We know what happened to the victims of gang raping so make we hear word.

Going by various comments here, one wil compel to ask questions if indeed it's time for the youth to take charge of this Nation.. Every individual with religion, ethnic sentiment

I thought my eyes where deceiving me when i read the post compared to the comments after it but your post restored my faith in some intelligence and common sense.

MaziOmenuko:
She presided over? How? She gets direct instruction from her principal to release funds to NSA to help buy military hardware for the fight against boko haram; was she expected to say no? She was smart enough to put it in written and get the authorisation of her boss, that's the smartest thing to do. Would she have resisted the purchase of arms to fight terrorism in her country or how was she to know beforehand that NSA will turn to an ATM?

Don't forget that she had earlier resigned under OBJ when the budget office was removed from ministry of finance and she insisted it be brought back so claiming she was being loyal to her boss against her country is a fallacy.

I am sure if news came out that NOI refused to approve funds meant to buy military hardware for the fight against terrorism, you will be among the first to label her a boko sponsor and posit that the SE is in support of terrorism against the north.

deji17:
$500m Abacha loot: Okonjo-Iweala to explain withdrawal

Posted By: Yusuf Alli, Abuja On: April 3, 2018


Former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is to explain how about $250million of the $500million recovered from the family of the late Head of State, Gen.Sani Abacha, was withdrawn, The Nation learnt yesterday.

The cash was released to the Office of National Security Adviser( ONSA) without appropriation.

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.

The Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has approved Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s invitation. A letter of invitation has been sent to her.



According to a fact-sheet obtained by The Nation last night, detectives probing the whereabouts of the $500million have recommended that the ex-minister be interrogated.

A top source said: “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.”



In another position of the fact-sheet, the Office of the National Security Adviser in a memo on January 12, 2015, requested the former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to transfer $300million.

The memo said: “Please refer to our meeting on recovered funds. You are please requested to remit the sum of $300m and £5.5m to the following account being ONSA share as agreed.

In response, Okonjo-Iweala via a memo to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan requested for the release of $300m from Abacha loot to the former National Security Adviser(NSA).

But only $250million was released to the ex-NSA.

The memo explained that this is to enable the NSA’s office to purchase ammunition, security and other intelligence equipment for the security agencies in order to enable them confront the ongoing Boko Haram threat.

“This request is sequel to the meeting you chaired with the committee on use of recovered funds where decision was made that recovered Abacha funds would be split 50-50 between urgent security needs to confront Boko Haram and development needs (including a portion for the Future Generations window of Sovereign Wealth Fund).

“This letter is to seek your approval to borrow these funds, for now, to disburse to the NSA. These funds form part of projected FG Independent Revenue to be appropriated.

“In light of this and for accountability, given the peculiar nature of security and intelligence transactions, we would expect the NSA to account to your Excellency for the utilization of the funds.”

On January 29, 2015, the ex-President responded to the ex-Minister as follows: “CME/HMF, approved.”

But Okonjo-Iweala had in 2015 insisted that she had no case to answer.

She said: Former President Jonathan set up a Committee comprising of the former Minister of Justice, former NSA and the former Minister of Finance to determine how best to use both the returned and expected funds for development.

The NSA made a case for using the returned funds for urgent security operations since, he noted, there cannot be any development without peace and security. Based on this, a decision was taken to deploy about $322m for the military operations, while the expected $700m would be applied for development programmes as originally conceived.
Following the discussions and based on the urgency of the NSA’s memo, Dr Okonjo-Iweala requested the President to approve the transfer of the requested amount to the NSA’s Office for the specified purposes.
But, as captured in the memo, she insisted on three conditions: a. only a part, not the entire Abacha funds would be spent on the arms; the rest would be invested in developmental projects as originally conceived b. the money was to be treated as borrowed funds which would be paid back as soon as possible c. the NSA’s office was to account for the spending to the President who was the Commander in Chief, given the fact that the Minister of Finance is not part of the security architecture and does not participate in the Security Council.
The attempt to link the former Minister’s name to any misuse of these funds for any purpose other than security as far as she understood it is totally false and cannot stand.”
A former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had claimed that Abacha “took over $6 billion from Nigeria.” He also said $2 billion was recovered when he was in charge of the anti-graft agency.


http://thenationonlineng.net/500m-abacha-loot-okonjo-iweala-explain-withdrawal/

. That is their problems they will lived every things in this world one day, will be one day.

What exactly do you want Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to know about procurement of arms and ammunition? Was is not enough occupying the role of the Coordinating Minister of the whole economy? It’s clear enough that this writer mentioned the funds where duly approved. I don’t know why EFCC often resort to chasing shadows and unnecessary name-smearing

One of the question we should be asking the EFCC is why Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala wasn’t charge to court as Sambo Dasuki has been, if indeed she acted ultra vires in anyway in the handling of the Abacha loot. GEJ set up a committee on how best to utilize the recovered loot, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ensured the money was disbursed as agreed by the committee. Is it that you expect her to micro-manage every ministry, agency, parastatals of govt on how every kobo allocated to them is spent? I very much doubt that is part of her job description as Minister of Finance.

“About $36,155,000 (N13,015,800 billion) out of the $250million was also withdrawn in cash without any purpose”. This statement is one of the most contradictory statement I have heard in a long while. Is there any stipulation anywhere as to how such funds should be released? Requisition was made for arms purchase to the tune of $300milliion and was duly approved by the President. $250million was released to the office of ONSA in total for the said purpose. Seems this writer just want to claim memory loss at the point that suits him, so the story can serve the purpose intended.

If any questions are needed to be asked, Sambo Dasuki is still in custody, albeit against court ruling, EFCC should go ahead and ask the recipient of the funds under debate. Maybe that’s why Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in her good judgement decided not to release all the $300million dollars to the ONSA, envisaging misappropriation or what have you.

One of the question we should be asking the is why NOI wasn’t charge to court as Sambo Dasuki has been, if indeed she acted ultra vires in anyway in the handling of the loot. The President set up a committee on how best to utilize the recovered loot, and NOI ensured the money was disbursed as agreed by the committee. Is it that you expect her to micro-manage every ministry, agency, parastatals of govt on how every kobo allocated to them is spent? I very much doubt that is part of her job description as Minister of Finance.

Some of these allegations are so incredible as they are ludicrous. How is it a primary concern of the minister of finance that funds allocated to MDAs are spent on extraneous matters including media services, opinion polls and personal matters? Maybe the writer should school us on the responsibilities of each agency of government as regards funds allocated to them.

chinedu234:
Did you read that her recommendation was to grant the money as loan? Do you even know that the president of Nigeria can decide to label any amount as security vote and nobody can question that? This woman doesn't appear to have any business in this matter. [s]She did her job and unfortunately most Nigerians that will never get to her meticulously achieved heights will remain in their penury due to shortsightedness and negative emotions[/s].

I am really curious. Please can you site the particular law that provides for the part in bold?

The part I cancelled is pure rubbish. Anybody that accept to serve in public office must be ready to give account of his/her stewardship. Telling NOI to come and answer questions regarding how she managed government funds is not due to shortsightedness and will not put anybody in penury.

I would blame the protracted court case of Sambo Dasuki-who should be providing answers to these questions-the reason for this kind of spurious stories. Part of the blame has to be directed at our defective judicial system and Dasuki legal team. I hope the Judges handling this case and the defence team of Dasuki will allow the accelerated hearing status granted the case to be effective, so we can arrive at a conclusion and also set a precedence to other matters arising.

With the level of sophistication, the EFCC claim to have, you are still needing the help of Okonjo-Iweala to ascertain how the balance of $250million released was disbursed after $36million was withdrawn in cash? I thought government was a continuum and this administration would just take responsibility and do her job.

If EFCC can’t do her job well with necessary documentations available, which the said memo is a huge part in this context, then I wonder how they can unravel and solve more complex cases which have been perpetrated and some of which are still on-going. Why waste time chasing a dead-end? So many of our stolen assets out their begging for recovery. So many looters that should be brought to book. EFCC should stop sponsoring unfounded lists of looters but prosecute and ensure conviction of whomever is found culpable at whatever level of government.

I hope it’s not because ‘Corruption’ is fighting back that this government has decided to shift focus and choose a different and supposed softer-target for its anti-corruption crusade. We want to see the government as up and doing, but also, we also demand efficiency and effectiveness.

Dasuki is the one that obviously mismanaged the money not Okonjo Iweala, so I don’t see why Okonjo Iweala should be summoned.

The truth is, Dr Okonjo Iweala has given clarifications on these issues several times. EFCC still disturbing her on the issue show that they do not have good intentions; which is totally wrong! EFCC should go and disturb the people stealing our money and not disturb people like Okonjo Iweala who helped save it.

It is obvious that EFCC is looking for a way to smear the good name of Dr Okonjo Iweala, hence this excessive summoning but God cannot let them succeed. Wicked people!

Honestly, Okonjo Iweala doesn’t need to answer any question or assist the EFCC in anything. She is no longer the finance minister and had stated all there is to say countless time. Summoning her again is just an attempt to waste her time. EFCC needs to find something better to do.

Please when will EFFC close this case and move on to other relevant issues? Because this seems to be the only case they have been focusing on and have been disturbing people they shouldn’t on.

7lives:
Yeah you are right, they in fact came with magic wand.
What happened in 16 years of PDP can only be described as GANG RAPING of the country.
We know what happened to the victims of gang raping so make we hear word.

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from
people who have the habit of making excuses.

- George Washington Carver.

I hope your dense brain can understand this?.

This is just a knee-jerk reaction from those who want to discredit her. 2019 is around the corner and they know that her ever increasing and enviable international profile is a threat to the workers of mediocrity in this country.

They have documents that show that the monies were given to the Office of the National Security Adviser for the purchase of arms, why this wasteful rigmarole?