Days after recovering N4bn, EFCC traces another N2bn to another account of PDP gov aspirant in Niger state

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have discovered N2 billion in another account operated by a former PDP governorship aspirant in Niger state and former Commissioner of Local Government in the state, Kantigi Liman. Recall that on April 11th, the agency released a statement saying it discovered N4 billion in the accounts of two companies which he had links with(Read here)
Confirming the recent discovery, a source in the commission said the politician is currently on the run
“He is on the run and all efforts to track him down have been futile. The next option left for the Commission is to declare him wanted” the source said It is believed that the N2 billion deposited in the bank rakes in a monthly interest of over N33million.

Seized $43million: Tell Nigerians who the money belongs to – Saraki dares EFCC

Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is poorly managing the controversy surrounding the $43million recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Saraki, speaking on Arise News Network, stated that the anti-graft agency had a duty to inform Nigerians who the money belonged to.

The Senate President said the whole confusion surrounding the recovered money, was not good for Nigeria’s image and warned that the National Assembly might need to step in.


“I believe this is something simple that the organisation (EFCC) should manage, even before the speculation started coming out. The circus has to come to end as to whether it belongs to individuals, companies, agencies or a state government.

“We, however, believe they will sort it out and eventually tell Nigerians who owns the money. Nigerians deserve to know. The circus must stop,” he said.

When asked if the EFCC made an error by not monitoring the Osborne Towers, Saraki said: “I would rather not comment and prejudge them because they might come before us.

“But clearly, Nigerians must know, to save us this embarrassment. I believe they should come out and tell us who owns the money. I believe an agency like this should monitor and clear this mess.”

Buhari’s men have buried their loot in Aso Rock – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has alleged that some people close to President Muhammadu Buhari have buried their loot in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Fayose stated this in response to Lai Mohammed’s statement, where he claimed that looters now bury stolen funds in cemetaries and deep forests.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, Fayose slammed Mohammed for playing on the intelligence of Nigerians.


“Looters in the Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, especially those being compensated for funding the election of the president in 2015 bury their own loot in the villa with presidential protection.

“Should it be wrong for other supposed looters that do not have presidential protection like the All Progressives Congress (APC) looters to bury their loots in burial grounds probably for spiritual protection?

“Nigerians can no longer be fooled with stage-managed loots recoveries, with no traceable owners (looters), especially when the loots are traceable to close associates of the president and his cabinet members.

“Obviously, this so-called anti-corruption war has become a laughing stock with N49 million found in Kaduna Airport, N448 million discovered in a shop at Victoria Island, Lagos and N13 billion found in Ikoyi, Lagos neither having owners nor the identities of owners of the property where the money was found known,” the statement read in part.


Fayose also claimed the recovered monies either belonged to those around Buhari or that the government planted them “to sustain its fake anti-corruption fight”.

“It is either the money belongs to members of Buhari’s government or it is being planted by the government to sustain its fake anti-corruption fight in the minds of the people.

“Enough of stage-managed and fake anti-corruption war aimed solely at opposition figures, especially presidential hopefuls in the 2019 election”, he said.

Seized $43million: EFCC invites former Governor, others for questioning

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited a former Governor and some others for questioning over the $43million discovered in one of the apartments in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to The Nation, the anti-graft agency has identified how apartment 7B where the money was found, was acquired.

The EFCC has also begun investigation into the roles played by some apartment owners and tenants as it concerned movement of the cash into the Towers.


A source said: “The more we investigate this $43.4m haul, the more we get fresh facts. It has become imperative to interact with some owners or tenants of apartments in the Towers.

“We have invited a former governor and other high-profile owners and tenants for interaction. It is just to ask a few questions on whether or not they were aware of such movement of cash.

“We have clues linking some occupants of the Towers to the cash haul. And in line with sections 16 and 17 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004, we are inviting these landlords or tenants.

“Unless we get to the root of this case, Nigerians may not know the truth or otherwise about the cash.


“We are not saying that those invited are guilty of any infraction or having link with the $43.4million but we need to hear from them – in line with the ongoing profiling of those in the Towers.”

Recovered $43M, £27,000, N23M: NIA moves to ‘officially’ reclaim Ikoyi cash

Indications emerged last night that the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, will officially apply to reclaim the $43 million, £27,000 and N23 million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from a building on Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, according to sources.

The NIA had earlier laid claims to the money, amid counter-claims by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that the money belonged to his state. This came on a day Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said looters of public funds were now burying money in cemeteries and in deep forests.

Mohammed, who stated this in a statement issued by his spokesman, Segun Adeyemi, yesterday, also said the whistle-blower policy had led to the recovery of looted funds in many currencies that might not have been discovered, describing it as an effective tool for fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The minister’s revelation came as Governor Wike asked Christians in Rivers State to pray aggressively for the state in its efforts to recover the N13 billion discovered in a building at Ikoyi, Lagos, by the EFCC, last Wednesday.

This is even as Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, yesterday asked President Buhari to address the nation on the real ownership of the N13bn.

According to the source, President Muhammadu Buhari was aware that the money was NIA’s and had even inspected some of its covert operations on which part of the money was spent.

NIA boss spoke with Magu On why the money was kept in a building in a residential area, the source said: “Such monies are kept in safe houses in residential areas so as not to arouse suspicion. It is the practice everywhere in the world.”

The source said NIA operatives avoided a shoot-out with EFCC operatives to avert embarrassing the government.It also confirmed that the Director-General of NIA had a conversation that lasted about one hour with acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu ,prior to the invasion of the house but was ignored.

Money not Rivers govt’s The source also dismissed claims by Governor Wike that the money was that of Rivers State government’s money.

On burying of looted funds in cemeteries and deep forest, Mohammed said the whistle-blower policy of the government had also shown the depth of support among Nigerians for the fight against corruption.

He, therefore, thanked Nigerians for the enthusiasm and commitment that they had shown in helping the government tackle the hydra-headed monster of graft through the useful leads they have been providing to appropriate government agencies.

He said: “Since we launched the whistle-blower policy, we have received immeasurable support from Nigerians. Yes, there is monetary reward for any information that leads to recovery of looted funds, but from what we have seen, most Nigerians who have come forward with useful leads were driven by patriotism rather than reward.

“Nigerians, fired by a fervid resolve to help banish corruption from their country, have daily inundated the offices of the appropriate government agencies with valuable information. We have been told how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, in deep forests and even in burial grounds.

“Thanks to whistle-blowers, it is now clear that a rapacious few have pillaged the nation’s wealth through a vicious orgy of corrupt practices.

‘’Thanks to the useful information provided by Nigerians, it is now obvious that more funds are in the possession of looters than are available to government at all levels to meets its obligations, including paying workers’ salaries, providing social amenities, upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the security of lives and property.

“As the looters continue to run helter-skelter, many of them are even abandoning their booty at unusual places, including airports. We want to assure Nigerians that we will not abandon this policy for whatever reason. Instead, we will continue to re-jig it to make it more effective as a tool for fighting corruption.”

Mohammed said the recovered looted funds were safe, adding that as soon as the necessary reconciliation process and litigation in some of the cases were concluded, the government will give a full account of the funds to Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who had at the weekend laid claim to ownership of the N13 billion found in a building at Ikoyi by the EFCC, yesterday asked Christians in the state to pray fervently to God to intercede for the state to recover the money.

Wike made the call during Easter Church Service at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom. He said the church has a responsibility to pray that God should touch the Federal Government to return the money to the coffers of Rivers State, since the money was the property of the state government.

He said: “We need the prayers of the Church , because there is nothing that prayers cannot do. Pray that God should touch the government of Nigeria, so that they will return the money to us. What we are interested in is for the money to come back to us.”

Governor Wike stated that contrary to the false propaganda being peddled by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, he had not declared war on the Federal Government, stressing that Rivers State government was simply requesting the return of funds belonging to the state.

“ I cannot declare war on the Federal Government. Anybody bringing in Buhari’s name should leave Buhari and face his own problems . The issue is who kept the money at the Ikoyi residence. The money was kept there by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

No amount of blackmail, no amount of distraction will stop us from getting our money. “ He noted that between 70 and 80 per cent of APC campaigns in 2015 were sponsored with funds sourced by Rivers State government under the leadership of Rotimi Amaechi.

He said the selective nature of the war on corruption in the country will not help in efforts to stamp out graft and develop Nigeria, wondering why anti-graft agencies often recoiled in the anti-corruption war when supporters of the government were involved.

Vicar of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, Venerable Israel Omosioni, prayed God to grant the request of Rivers people for the recovered funds to be returned to Rivers State government

He said with the execution of projects across the state by Governor Wike, additional funds would assist the governor achieve more for the people.

The church resolved to start the prayers, which would be sustained till the funds were returned. SERAP tasks Buhari Similarly, SERAP, yesterday asked President Buhari to address the nation on the real ownership of the N13bn recovered fund.

SERAP said the President needs to clarify the issue, following controversy that now surrounds the funds. SERAP in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, called on the President to also ensure legal backing for his government’s whistle-blower policy.

The group said: “Clearing the doubts surrounding the real identities of those behind the Ikoyi cash haul would demonstrate that the President values transparency over secrecy. “This will further encourage more people to blow the whistle on governmental corruption and enhance the public’s right to know.

“The government’s increasing reliance on whistle-blowers’ tips to fight corruption has to be backed by some level of transparency and accountability in the real identities of those claiming recovered cash. “Democracy abhors secrecy, and for Nigerians to be able to hold elected leaders accountable, they must have access to information such as on the real identities of those behind the Ikoyi cash haul.”

SERAP also said giving the whistle blowing policy a legal backing would ensure protection of the whistle-blowers “from any retaliation and attacks.”

“The policy of giving whistle-blowers some percentage of recovered loot would seem to be a game changer in the fight against corruption but this government now has to squarely address the significant risks that those who blow the whistle face by urgently working with the National Assembly to ensure the necessary legal backing that would ensure protection against reprisals and attacks.

“The government should ensure that the National Assembly expedites the process of passing the whistle-blower Bill, as ensuring that the bill is passed without further delay would recognise the necessity of whistle-blowers and the value they add to the anti-corruption fight by reporting otherwise unknown corruption-related information.

“It would also ensure that whistle-blowers are fully protected from any retaliation and attacks they may experience, and that the government fully appreciates the information they provide,” SERAP stated.

Whistle-blower policy: Looters now burying stolen funds in backyards, deep forests, cemeteries - Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has hailed its whistle-blower policy, which has led to the recovery of looted funds in many currencies that may otherwise not have been discovered, describing it as an effective tool of fighting corruption in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the policy has also shown the depth of support among Nigerians for the fight against corruption.

 
He therefore thanked Nigerians for the enthusiasm and commitment that they have shown in helping the government to tackle the hydra-headed monster of corruption through the useful leads they have been providing to appropriate government agencies.

''Since we launched the whistle-blower policy, we have received immeasurable support from Nigerians. Yes, there is monetary reward for any information that leads to recovery of looted funds, but from what we have seen, most of the Nigerians who have come forward with useful leads were driven by patriotism rather than reward.

''Nigerians, fired by a fervid resolve to help banish corruption from their country, have daily inundated the offices of the appropriate government agencies with valuable information. We have been told how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, in deep forests and even in burial grounds.

''Thanks to whistle-blowers, it is now clear that a rapacious few have pillaged the nation's wealth through a vicious orgy of corrupt practices. Thanks to the useful information provided by Nigerians, it is now obvious that more funds are in the possession of looters than are available to government at all levels to meets its obligations, including paying workers' salaries, providing social amenities, upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the security of lives and property.

''As the looters continue to run helter-skelter, many of them are even abandoning their booty at unusual places, including airports. We want to assure Nigerians that we will not abandon this policy for whatever reason. Instead, we will continue to rejig it to make it more effective as a tool for fighting corruption,'' the Minister said.

He said the recovered looted funds are safe, adding that as soon as the necessary reconciliation process and the litigation in some of the cases are concluded, the government will give a full account of the funds to Nigerians.

Alhaji Mohammed re-assured Nigerians who have useful information on looted funds that the government will protect their identities and also ensure that they get the stipulated reward for their effort.

Amaechi slams Wike, says he knows nothing about seized N13bn

Minister of Transportation and immediate past governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has dismissed the false claims by his successor Nyesom Wike that the $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218, 000 recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from an Ikoyi apartment in Lagos belongs to him.

Wike, in a suspicious, hurriedly arranged press conference on Friday night, told journalists that ‘the money in question belongs to the former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.’ Wike also insinuated that the ‘houses’ in Ikoyi belong to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Amaechi in a statement titled ‘$43MILLION TALE: AMAECHI SLAMS WIKE’ released by his Media Office on Saturday, Amaechi described the claims as malicious, frivolous and another failed attempt by Wike to divert attention from the mess he has created in Rivers State. According to the statement:

“Rivers State is perpetually in crisis, the state in a mess as Wike has made a total mess of governance in the State. That child who sits there as governor is confused, he doesn’t know what to do. Wike’s only solution is to attack Amaechi.”

“Since he became governor, Wike sleeps and wakes up everyday, with a sole, one-point agenda to attack and denigrate Rotimi Amaechi, no matter how ridiculous and silly he sounds. Everyday in Rivers State, there is one frivolous, false story of what Amaechi did or didn’t do. Same pattern, the same blatant lies with no proof, same old concocted stories of corruption allegations against Amaechi told with different flavours At this rate, if Wike is unable to perform his spousal duties, he will blame it on Amaechi.

Yes, that’s how despicably low he can go in his consuming fixation to throw mud at Amaechi.” “This latest outburst by Wike is typical of him.

We are aware that Wike first tried to float the fake news of Amaechi’s ownership of the recovered $43million and the Ikoyi house in the social media using his minions and lackeys, spending huge sums of Rivers money on the failed project.

His minions and lackeys were calling journalists, bloggers and media organizations to run the fake story with promises of almost irresistible mouth-watering compensation for using the fake story.

When that failed and the story didn’t gain traction that was when Wike decided to hurriedly hold the press conference Friday night, to rant and spew his outright lies, yet again without providing any proof of Amaechi’s ownership of both the property and the money.”

“For clarity and emphasis, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not the owner of the $43million and the Ikoyi apartment in which the money was recovered from.

Amaechi has no business, link or connection to the money or property. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi does not know who owns the money or Ikoyi apartment.”

“Wike’s malicious allegation of corruption against Amaechi in the sale of the Gas Turbines is not new.

This false claim has been punctured repeatedly with facts and evidence of the transfer payments for the power plants into Rivers State government accounts by Sahara Energy.

The records of how the funds were spent and what it was spent on are in the records of the State government.

Amaechi has absolutely no business or any interest whatsoever in Sahara Energy.

The company was already a thriving business concern before Amaechi’s emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2007.

“We urge all right-thinking members of the public to completely disregard all the false, politically motivated no-proof claims by Nyesom Wike and his minions as it concerns Amaechi and the $43million and Ikoyi property.

“Yet again, we challenge Wike to charge Amaechi to court if he has any shred of evidence that the money belongs to Rivers State and was kept in the Ikoyi apartment by Amaechi.

But like his numerous frivolous accusations in the past, we know he won’t go to court. He has nothing to substantiate his blatant lies.

This Wike’s recent tale like his previous ones is a big sham, a disgraceful political drama, and a campaign of calumny to defame and destroy the sterling reputation of Rotimi Amaechi. This is now Wike’s sole life ambition.”

“Finally, we want Nigerians to note that Wike’s reckless, irresponsible and fictitious tirade against the President Buhari administration at his media briefing of Friday is a declaration of war against the Federal Government.

This has been his regular past time in recent times, making false allegations against the Federal government and threatening the President Buhari administration with fire and brimstone”, the statement concluded

Unclaimed $45m: We Need to Examine Wike’s Mental Status – Peterside

An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside has questioned the mental status of Governor Nyesom Wike after claiming that the $45m found at a residence in Ikoyi, Lagos State belong to Rivers State Government. Dr Peterside, who stated this in a chat with newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, rubbished insinuations by Governor Wike that the money found in Lagos were part of proceeds Rivers State Government realised from sale of gas turbines by the Amaechi administration.

Wike was also quoted to have claimed that the house in question belongs to Amaechi, who has since issued a statement denying ownership of the said building. He accused the Rivers State governor of turning governance to a circus show and lacking in sense of dignity by constantly being in the news for all the wrong reasons.

“Not too long ago, Wike apparently suffering from overdose of self delusion said he had awarded road projects in far away Benue State and had mobilised contractors to site. “The same Wike has also accused the Inspector General of Police of plotting to assassinate him through the new CP in Rivers State.

“We thought these were jokes taken too far. But the clownish governor has surprised himself with another tales by moonlight in trying to link his former boss and benefactor to the unclaimed money. “I think we need to check the sanity and mental status of Governor Wike.

Time and time again, he is bringing ridicule to the office he occupies and embarrassing the people of Rivers State who are known to be intelligent, responsible and decent in upbringing,” he stressed.

He explained that Amaechi had since denied owning the said house in Lagos and challenged the Rivers State Government to provide evidence to the contrary.

Peterside, who was commissioner for works under Amaechi, noted that the money realised from sale of gas turbines were paid into the account of Rivers state and the money used for projects.

“While Wike can never come near the record of Amaechi, the current governor is doing everything to reverse the unmatchable records of his predecessor.

“As at today, no one has seen copies of 2016 and 2017 budgets of Rivers State. Schools and health centres are shutting down with thousands of school age children out of school.

Rivers children on scholarship abroad have been withdrawn. The same governor has wasted Rivers money to host two failed conventions of a sinking PDP. His party chairman has accused him of using $6m to influence judicial officers. 

“Wike has the unenviable record of governing a state having the most state-linked killings in Rivers history. He rose to become the governor of Rivers State on the bloods of innocent people. 

“It is people like Wike who have made Nigerians to call to question the issue of immunity in the Constitution. He is taking immunity as shield to abuse the dignity of the office of Governor. 

“The governor can still retrace his steps and follow the path of dignity, decorum and respect the office he occupies for he holds it in trust on behalf of Rivers people,” he summed up.

$43m Found In Ikoyi By EFCC Belongs To Rivers – Gov Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has introduced a new twist to the $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23, 218,000 recovered on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from Osborne Towers, a luxury residential complex in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The governor told journalists at a briefing in Port Harcourt last night that the money belonged to the Rivers State Government.

Wike issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to return the money to his government or he would be forced to take legal measures to recover it.

Governor Wike declared that the money (N13 billion) found in the Ikoyi apartment belonged to the Rivers state government.

Governor Wike said that investigations by the Rivers State Government revealed that the money was proceeds from the sale of gas turbines by the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Addressing Government House press corps, at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday night, Governor Wike said: “The money in question belongs to the former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. We want to confirm that the house in Ikoyi also belongs to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

“If you recollect in 2015, we said that gas turbines built by Former Governor Peter Odili were sold to Sahara Energy, business partners of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at $319 million.

”That money was used to sponsor the All Progressives Congress for the 2015 general elections. From the date of sale of the gas turbines to May 29, 2015, the money depleted from $319 million to $204,000. What was stashed at the Ikoyi residence was part of that fund”.

He said: “We have facts to prove that the said money belongs to the Rivers State Government. The Federal Government must return our money”.

Governor Wike said all the stories being peddled about the money belonging to the National Intelligence Agency are false and mere face saving measures by the embattled APC Federal Government.

He said: “As I speak to you, the Federal Government is so embarrassed that this has happened. All the stories that the money belongs to the NIA are fake”.

Governor Wike challenged the Federal Government to set up a panel of Inquiry, which will sit publicly to investigate the money, if it doubted the claim of the Rivers State Government.

He stated that the Rivers State Government needed the money to complete an array of projects, insisting that on no account would this criminal activity be swept under the carpet.

The governor said as long as the Federal Government continues to disturb the progress of Rivers State, so long will God throw the Federal Government into confusion.

“We are giving them seven days to return our money. Otherwise, we would take legal action to recover our money. $43million will help us complete several projects. We need that money for projects”, he said.

Former Governor Amaechi had flatly denied ownership of the said money saying that he does not own any apartment in Lagos, except Abuja.

In a statement issued by his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi said linking him to the money is spurious part of the campaign of hate against him for helping to bring down the 16 years of PDP administration in Nigeria.

Amaechi must vomit more loot to lessen his pot belly – Fani-Kayode’s aide fires back

Jude Ndukwe, Special Adviser on Media to former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has attacked the camp of Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the controversy over $43m found in a Lagos apartment continues.

Ndukwe in a statement dared Amaechi to speak on the issue, adding that he must cough out more loot to free his pot belly.

“We read with amusement the insulting words of one of Rotimi Ameachi’s aides about Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,” it reads.

“A man who had to appoint his own psychiatrist as his Commissioner of Health when he was govermor because he kept breaking down during cabinet meetings?“In the first place one must ask, is Rotimi Amaechi a human being? Everyone knows he is an animal.

“A man that shits in his pants every time that he hears FFK’s name? Do you expect the great FFK to respond to a creature like Rotimi who he once described as ‘a pot-bellied creek Haramite who comes from the gutter’.

“We will not respond to the little errand boy that says he is Amaechi’s spokesman. The rat is too small.“A dirty stinking swamp rat like Rotimi Amaechi has the nerve to send his boy to insult FFK?

“We have bigger and better things to do. We are waiting for Amaechi himself to open his stinking mouth. Let us hear from him and not from his errand boy.

“The man is a cultist and a killer. He is also a serial traitor who spends more time smoking indian hemp and drinking kai kai than on servicing his wife.

“The Odilis made them human beings after they washed their toilets and sucked their arses for many years yet in the end both Rotimi and his wife betrayed them.“He was a houseboy to Gov. Peter Odili and his very ugly wife was also a housegirl to Odili’s wife.

“Rotimi is nothing but a greedy peasant, gutter snipe and shit heel. His stomach is so fat that he farts in his dreams and when he does so he puts the lights out.

“He needs to free his belly; he must cough up all the money that he stole from Rivers state when he was governor rather than trying to fool anyone.

“He should also stop the rubbish he is doing at Transport. He owns the USD 43m and everyone knows it. Attempts to cover up for him will fail”.

Daily post

EFCC finds $38m, £27k, N23m in a house in Gerrard Road, Ikoyi

OperATIVEs of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, found $38 million, £27,000 and N23 million in a private residence on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The commision acted on a tip-off by yet another whistleblower. It was learned that the house, which belongs to an unnamed Abuja politician, is on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

EFCC agents, who stormed the house, early yesterday, were still counting the money at press time. EFCC spokesman in Lagos, Mr Samin Amaddin, who confirmed the discovery, said the agents, who went on the mission, were yet to return to base last night.

 The Federal Government recently spelt out the benefits awaiting whistleblowers as it also pledged to protect them. 

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said any whistleblower whose information led to the recovery of up to N1 billion would receive five per cent of the amount.

According to him, the reward for any amount between one and five billion naira would be five per cent for the first N1 billion and four per cent of the remaining N4 billion, and that any amount over N5 billion will attract 2.5 per cent reward.

 The Federal Government had said that any whistleblower, whose information led to the recovery of cash or assets worth N5 billion, would earn N210 million.

 Mohammed said:  “For example, if a whistleblower provides information leading to the recovery of N10 billion, he or she will receive five per cent of the first N1 billion, four per cent of the next N4 billion and 2.5 per cent of the remaining N5 billion.

“What we have done by making this information public is to reassure potential whistleblowers that the plan to reward is real.

We are not just saying we will pay all whistleblowers, but we are letting them know in advance what they are entitled to, once the information they provide leads to the recovery of looted funds.”

The latest recovery came two days after EFCC agents recovered €547,730 and £21,090 as well as N5,648,500 from a Bureau de Change operator in Balogun market, in Lagos. Last Thursday, the EFCC recovered N449, 000, 860 hidden in an abandoned shop in Lagos.

I'm not the owner of discovered billions in Lagos – Adeola

Senator representing Lagos West, Senator Solomon Adeola has denied ownership of the N15 billion recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Lagos yesterday.

In a statement signed by his media adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro and made available to newsmen on Thursday, Senator Adeola debunked the allegation published by some online media (Not infokitchen101) saying it is totally false.


“The attention of Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) aka Yayi has been drawn to an online story alleging that the N15 billion in foreign and local currencies discovered by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in an apartment at Osborne Towers in Lagos belong to him. 

“As published by Lagos Herald quoting “Africanreporters” the senator is alleged to have stashed the huge cash for his rumoured ambition to be a governor of a state. 

“There is absolutely no iota of truth in this obvious blackmail targeted at destroying the rising profile of the senator who had spent over 14 years in public office without any blemish. 

We are aware that some politicians are having sleepless nights on his impeccable records as a grassroots democrat and will do anything to eliminate him in their paranoid political equation towards 2019.

 “Senator Adeola does not own any house or apartment on Osborne Towers at Osborne Road, Ikoyi and could not have been the owner of the discovered cash in the apartment. 

The senator will in due course not hesitate to take legal action against anyone unjustly tarnishing his hard earned reputation and image pursuant of his fundamental rights under the constitution. 

“The EFCC as a credible anti corruption organization is doing it statutory duty and I am sure it will soon come out with details of the ownership of the discovered humongous cash. 

“Insinuations attributing Senate decisions on national issues to Senator Adeola shows perfect ignorance of the working of the legislature in a democracy and indeed Senator Adeola as an APC Senator is fully committed to the anti-corruption agenda of President Mohamadu Buhari and APC.”
















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