Fresh twists and turns just keep emerging on the N15 billion stash – comprising $43.4 million, £27.800 million and N23 million – which was recently uncovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission inside an apartment in highbrow Ikoyi, Lagos.
Initially alleged to belong to Alhaji Adamu Muazu, former governor of Bauchi State and immediate-past chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, the man wasted no time in denying it.
The next name to crop up was that of Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, an erstwhile director with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. She too did not also immediately deny ownership, but got her lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, SAN to equally issue a statement.
Same with EbonyLife TV boss, Mo Abudu, the third name that cropped up. Alleged to have been bought a flat in the now controversial property by the current minister of transportation and ex-governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, described by Gov. Ayo Fayose’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, as the woman’s alleged lover, both Amaechi and Abudu have labeled the weighty allegation as false, and with the latter’s solicitors, Streamsowers & Kohn also wading in and following up with a statement. Plus a threat to sue Olayinka.
Next to step in was the National Intelligence Agency, which it was alleged had kept the money there for some special operations or something like that – and with the Federal Government allegedly in the know.
The latest entrant, however, is Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. According to him, the money belongs to Rivers State! Threatening a court action in the event that the money is not released to them, the added that his predecessor, Amaechi, allegedly ‘pocketed’ the billions from the proceeds of the Omoku Power Turbine which former Governor Peter Odili built, but which he claims Amaechi later sold.