Govs accuse Malami of collusion in fight over Paris Club refunds
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Governors have bypassed Ned Nwodo and fired shots at federal Attorney General Abubakar Malami, accusing him of having “abdicated his role as public defender and trustee and become the strongest advocate to the consultants.”
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) faulted claim by Nwodo, former House of Representatives member and Paris Club refund consultant, that he paid to facilitate governance in some states, including funding elections in Ekiti and Ondo.
The NGF said the claim is “desperation” mounted and coordinated by Malami and his cohorts to justify “plundering and fleecing” $418.9 million from the treasury.
A statement issued by NGF Media and Public Affairs Director Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo insisted the NGF never received $100 million as claimed by Nwoko, All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta North Senatorial District candidate.
Bello-Barkindo said the “salient facts” in the “fraud” in the Paris Club refunds cannot be changed by Malami or any consultant.
He also stressed the facts would always remain, whether the claims of the consultants are lawful and whether any judgment which is a subject of a pending appeal can be enforced or executed as the consultants now attempt to do.
“The NGF, hereby, states unequivocally that it has not at any time been involved in or been in receipt of $100m or any other funds from Ned Nwoko to finance elections in any state,” the statement said.
“Perhaps, confirming our fears and that of the public that the AGF [Malami] has abdicated his role as public defender and trustee and become the strongest advocate to the consultants is now evident in Ned Nwoko’s press statement wherein he praised the role played by the AGF.
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Related articles:
Paris Club Refund: How NGF took $100m from us for state elections — Consultants
Paris Club: Malami says govs can’t challenge $418m deduction
Malami manipulates, impedes justice, says Falana
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Plundering and fleecing Nigeria
“Undoubtedly, the salient facts on the fraud associated with the Paris Club refunds can never be changed by a thousand press statements by the AGF or any of the consultants …
“The judgments of the appellate courts, particularly that of the Supreme Court have begun to expose the creepiness and unlawful nature of the consultants claims,” the Bello-Barkindo added, per reportingby The PUNCH.
“It is not surprising that they are now afflicted by dizzy spells, seriously discomforted and are now driven by desperation to ensure that the plundering and fleecing of the state is quickly completed before the determination of the pending proceedings in the appellate and other courts in order to foist a situation of frustration and helplessness on the states.
“This is obvious as the consultants are not in a position to restore the funds to the states if they lose on appeal; as it is becoming apparent.”
The NGF put the total amount the consultants are seeking from states and councils at $418,953,690.59.
It gave the details as follows:
- Ned Nwoko – $68,658,192.83
- Ted Isighohi Edwards – $159,000,000
- Panic Alert Security Systems Limited – $47,831,920
- Riok Nigeria Limited – $142,028,941.95
- Orji Orizu – $1,219,440.45
- Olaitan Bello – $215,195.36