Detectives have hit a stalemate in their bid to recover the N400 million traced to a company in which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh has a stake.
He is said to have told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he would rather go on hunger strike than refund the money, which is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion arms cash allegedly diverted at the Office National Security Adviser (ONSA).
EFCC chair Ibrahim Magu, who revealed Metuh’s position yesterday in Lagos, stressed that the war against corruption had just begun.
Speaking during a meeting with online reporters, Magu vowed to bring corrupt elements to justice, explaining that the looting of the nation’s treasury “is mind boggling”.
He said former Military Administrator of Kaduna State Brig.-Gen.Jafaru Isa had refunded N100 million of the N160million he collected from the ONSA.
The ex-governorship candidate of the Congress of Progressvies Change (CPC), who was arrested and released after being quizzed, he added, had undertaken to refund the balance.
He said former President Goodluck Jonathan would not be invited over the $2.1billion arsm deals because memos and documents on the disbursement of the money were not approved for political campaigns.
Magu explained that former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi was re-arrested by EFCC operatives outside the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, after it was found that he was involved in an alleged embezzlement of N34.5 billion and N600 million in the maritime agency.
He was said to have jumped bail and the lawyer who stood surety for him was arrested.
Speaking on why EFCC cases get stuck, Magu blamed lawyers, saying: “When a politician steals N10 billion, he keeps N5 billion for litigation. He hires Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Judges accuse us of not conducting thorough investigation in order to compromise.”
Also yesterday, a former minister, Chief Jim Nwobodo, explained how he disbursed the N100 million he received from former PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, whose wherabouts the EFCC does not know. He denied ever collecting money from Col. Sambo Dasuki who he said he had never met.
Nwobodo, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent, said: “I have never met Dasuki in my life. I don’t know Dasuki. Ex-Minister Bashir Yuguda I know, just as a former minister like any Nigerian.
“I got N100million for campaign purposes and not N500million. I did not receive the money from either Dasuki or Yuguda. The money I received was from a former National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu. I gave the list of the disbursement according to states to the party.
A statement by John Okoreni on behalf of Nwobodo said: “The attention of Senator (Dr.) Jim Nwobodo has been drawn to news items where it was mentioned that he received the sum of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) from Bashir Yuguda, ex-Minister of State for Finance for the purpose of the last presidential election.
“ Senator (Dr.) Jim Nwobodo states as follows: That he was the chairman of the Contact Committee of the PDP Presidential campaign for the South East Zone
“The Committee was appointed by the party and inaugurated by its then National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu
“That the Committee oversaw the five states of the Zone, namely: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo State
“Members of the Committee were three for each state; Senator Jim Nwobodo, Chairman (Enugu), Chief Onyema Ogochukwu, Secretary (Abia), Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe (Abia), Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia), Prof. A.B.C. Nwosu (Anambra), Senator Ben Ndi Obi (Anambra), Senator Joy Emodi (Anambra), Ambassador Frank Ogbuweu (Ebonyi), Senator Ben Collins Ndu (Enugu), Ambassador Fidel Ayogu (Enugu), Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu (Imo), Chief Achike Udenwa (Imo) and Chief Innocent Nwoga (Imo).
“That the only fund received by the committee for its work in the five South-Eastern states was N100million and the money was received from the then National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Adamu Muazu, for logistics, travelling, mobilisation of party members in the zone for the presidential election.
“That the fund was properly disbursed to the states and duly signed by members of the Committee for each State and accounted for to the party.
“That at no time did Senator Jim Nwobodo receive the money from any person other than the then National Chairman of the party.
“That it would be unusual for Senator Nwobodo and other members of his committee to query the source of the campaign fund coming from the National Chairman of his party for official functions and purposes.
“This statement is meant to put the records straight and correct the impression making round in the media on the alleged distribution of money by Bashir Yuguda as it concerns Senator Nwobodo.
omenka: Let them keep hating and wailing, it's not gonna change a thing. They won't blackmail Baba into soft pedalling on his fight against corruption.
I've never seen a people so smitten with sleaze my entire life.
Whether they like it or not, the fight against corruption will go on and must be won. If killing corruption means killing their source of livelihood, then they can starve for all I care.
The anti-corruption crusade of PMB is really taking its toll and love it or hate it ....its come to stay. You collect 50k monthly salry and built 40million Naira Mansion and you say na Alubarika , you say na Miracle. Ole!
timidapsin: Very strange world indeed, the cow refused to die after they cut its head I dont know the country where this happened but watch the video below and be thrilled.
I'm very happy that Nigerians are beginning to reward hardwork rather than celebrate corruption. If half of rich men in Nigeria can redistribute their wealth, then the havenots will reduce in the society. Morals: There's dignity in Labour!
mostyg: Bukola: Who could have taught that I will still be here as the 'cinate' President? Yakubu: Me too, upon all the enemies that opposed our bid within the party.
Bukola: O boy! anything for Christmas? Yakubu: Let's wait till the end of the presentation and see if the budget captures that..
20bc: [color=teal] Well Gej has a hand in both the good and bad things the administration is facing, but PMB's body language has caused more good to come out from the little one Gej created, he is managing the bad one, but the ugly one is now taking over the bad one..[/color]
You've said my mind. Managing the bad deeds of. Gej is a ministry on its own.
joseph1832: Its nice that everybody is now vigilant and united against the fight of terrorism. If we all had stood this ground along time ago, perhaps we will not be where we are today.
Kudos to the security personnel for apprehending the lobotomize bloodthirsty nitwit!.
My brother....the last administration almost succeded in dividing Nigeria on Religious lines. Let us unite to Fight terror!
[quote author=funnynation post=41230925]I no dey suprise bcs in naija, ''Law makers are law breakers''.. VIO and FRSC will be driving without seat belt.. But they go blame GEJ.. Notsense ppl...
Akpos is back again.. Akpos and his wife were discussing.. . Wife: "How would you describe me?" Akpos: "ABCDEFGHIJK." Wife: "What does that mean?" Akpos: "Adorable, beautiful, cute, delightful, elegant, fashionable, gorgeous, and hot." Wife: "Aw, thank you, but what about IJK?" Akpos: "I'm just kidding!" Describe Akpos for me please.. #irep042 #irepnsukka #jan9 #Dec20 #abujafinest
Funnynation comedian coming soon[/quo Teacher: what is a baby shark called?
YerYer: "allegedly rapped." I don't support rape and I don't think rape victims should be doubted either. But anyone can accuse someone of rape without substantial evidence. These two people were "Facebook lovers" and they agreed to meet at his place, there might be some element of truth that this was consensual sex and not rape. Maybe the lady is finding a way out of paying back the money or something else went wrong during their meeting. The topic of this posting is very misleading, the guy hasn't been found guilty, they are only alleging rape here so let's not be too quick to judge someone before a detailed investigation has been done. They should also go through their Facebook messages and phones to decipher if they both agreed to having sex prior.
APChangeZombie: Jonathan didn't phuck up this much that is why and things were moving fine before your allah people's Congress decided to intensify their sabotage, slander and treason on his govt
But he was clueless and claimed he was finishing YarAdua's term
I wonder how we got to this stage of religious discrimination? I can remember very well that as kids christians and muslims sing christmas carol together . Let's retrace our Steps and get back to the good old day. Cheers!
Politics › Re: Metuh To EFCC: I’d Rather Starve Than Refund N400m by princemeadow(m): 11:51am On Jan 12, 2016
