– The huge sum was discovered in a mansion in Ikoyi but its ownership has become a mystery too hard to crack
– Monday Ubani said the six question demand answers from those who should know just as he called on Nigerians to come up with more questions
The second national vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Monday Ubani, has popped up six questions he thinks must be answered concerning the huge sums of foreign currencies recently recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a mansion in Ikoyi, Lagos state.
The ownership of the fund which includes $43 million has remained unknown hours after it was recovered. All those allegedly fingered have denied knowing anything about it.
NAIJ.com reports that the National Intelligence Agency suddenly announced it owns the money on Friday, April 14, 2017. Hours later, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers said the money belongs to the state.
Ubani wants Nigerians to ask questions concerning the recovered fund
Ubani, who could not hide his disdain for the drama that has suddenly surrounded the recovered fund, said: “Nigeria to some of us has become the ‘theatre of the absurd’.
“How do you explain certain things that happen here for which you can’t make any sense out of it?
“Take for instance the several billions of naira (in different currencies) discovered recently in someone’s house in Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria.
“The rumor had it that the large sums of money belongs to former PDP chairman, Muazu who has denied ownership; the second accused, retired NNPC staff Mrs Nnamdi-Ogbue has also denied ownership.
“The current minister of Transportation, Mr (Rotimi) Amaechi linked with ownership of the money has also denied vehemently the ownership of the large sums of money.”
Wondering who truly owns the money, Ubani added: “Suddenly, the story changed, that an Intelligence arm of the government, NIA has come forward to claim ownership of the money.”
Part of the recovered money displayed by EFCC
He said from what had been reported so far about the recovered money, here are some of the claims of NIA:
(a) That the money was approved for them by the previous government.
(b) That the money is meant for covert operation.
(c) That EFCC is embarrassing them (sister agency) by seizing the money that naturally belongs to them.
Ubani then asked the critical questions:
(1) Is the house where the money was found the office of NIA?
(2) Who is the true owner of that house where the money was discovered?
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(3) If it was money approved by the previous government, why was it not spent for the purpose approved and why was it not returned to the treasury if not spent?
(4) Why is government money not in the bank but in a private home? Is government not in breach of its anti-laundering law by keeping such large sums in the house?
(5) How long has that money being kept there or was it not brought there recently that attracted the attention of the diligent whistle-blower?
(6) And so many questions (you can ask your own). I hope the hardworking and diligent whistle-blower will get at least 2.5 percent of his fees for a labourer is worthy of his or her wages?
He urged Nigerians to ask their own questions over what he described as a mind-boggling issue.
“Nigeria don tire me, no be small thing o! One thing is clear though that President Buhari should not mishandle this issue, it can stain him badly!” Ubani declared.