Prof. Yemi Osinbajo |
The suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence
Agency, Amb. Ayo Oke, on Monday appeared
before a committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate him and
the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
Oke is being investigated by the committee chaired by
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over his claim that the money uncovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission at a residential apartment at
Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, belongs to
the NIA.
He had earlier appeared before the committee on Wednesday
after his suspension was announced.
The acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Friday
appeared before the same committee to give evidence on what his commission
discovered about the money, the owners and their plans.
Oke’s appearance on Monday is believed to be aimed at giving
him the opportunity to answer some questions arising from Magu’s submission to
the panel.
The committee that has the Attorney General of the
Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen.
Babagana Monguno (retd.), as members is expected to turn in its report within
two weeks
The committee is to investigate why the NIA kept $43.4m,
N23m and £27,000 (N13bn) in
the Ikoyi apartment. The money was
seized by the EFCC based on a tip-off from a whistleblower.
Meanwhile, the
committee is set to invite some NIA contractors including construction
firm, Julius Berger.
The move, it was learnt, became necessary due to claims by
the NIA that many of its projects were carried out by Julius Berger.
The NIA in a letter to
Monguno in January last year
claimed to have embarked on some projects,
which were handled by Julius Berger.
According to documents sent to the NSA, some of the projects
are the construction of a conference centre and associated infrastructure at
the NIA’s headquarters along Murtala Muhammed Way in Abuja. Others are the
physical security upgrades of Gates A and B at the headquarters, remodelling
and equipping of OSINT Centre, Recreation Centre, Abuja, construction of link
road between the Conference Centre and
OSINT Centre, staff housing development in Lokogoma, Abuja.
A source said, “The
DG of the NIA said part of the money was
meant for the projects handled by Julius Berger. Due to the Act establishing
the NIA, the projects of the agency
embarks on don’t usually go through appropriation but the money taken from a
special fund and then the projects are
inspected after completion.”
Sources told one of our correspondents that some of the
contractors were investigated by the EFCC last year, with some of their bank accounts frozen but later
unfrozen by the commission.
When contacted to confirm if Julius Berger handled some
projects for the NIA in 2015, the Head of Media Relations Office of the
construction firm, Mr. Moses Duku, said he had no idea.
“And as for this, I can only speak on it after I must have
confirmed from my management. I’ll talk with my executive management on Monday
and maybe I’ll be able to give you something about what you’ve just asked for.
I have no single idea on this issue.”
On Monday, he was reminded of the inquiry and discussion he
had with our correspondent on Saturday, but he stated that he had yet to speak
with the executive management personnel that was supposed to confirm the
development.
Duku said, “I saw your (our correspondent’s) text but I’ve
not got the information you require, for the person to give it is not around.
He has a meeting somewhere and he left since morning.”
0 Comments