A former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday insisted that former President Goodluck Jonathan gave her the approval to utilise the controversial $2 billion withdrawn from the country’s Excess Crude Account.
Okonjo-Iweala gave the defence in response to the position of the Forum of Finance Commissioners that the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee did not give her the approval to withdraw the money.
The FAAC is made up of the Commissioners of Finance of the 36 states of the Federation and usually chaired by the Minister of State for Finance.
The Finance Commissioners said they do not have such powers to approve withdrawal of funds from the ECA and that when they noticed this, they questioned the then Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Bashir Yuguda, who told them that the approval was given by Jonathan.
Okonjo-Iweala, in a statement on Tuesday by her spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu, denied that she single-handedly withdrew the $2.1 billion, an allegation that had been restated several times by the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Okonjo-Iweala insisted that Jonathan gave her the approval to withdraw the money.
A statement by her media advisor, Paul Nwabuikwu, said: “Payments made were used for petroleum subsidies for the Nigerian people and were approved by Mr. President. Therefore, there is no question of mismanaging any resources here.
“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did Dr. Okonjo-Iweala say that FAAC approved such expenditures. What she said was that all these expenditures were discussed at FAAC meetings attended by finance commissioners from the 36 states.
“It is, therefore, clear that there was no misrepresentation by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala.
“The question before us is: why is there such an excessive attempt to batter her name in an attempt to damage her reputation? It is clear, as I said in my previous statement, that the motive is malicious and very political, and, therefore, will not succeed.
“If monies were used to pay for subsidies for the Nigerian people and duly approved, why is Okonjo-Iweala’s name being battered in this way? This persecution should stop.”
Trending
- Breaking: Veteran Yoruba actor, Ogunjimi is dead
- EX-PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS DEMISE OF SIDI ALI, DR. BAFFA YO
- Japa Crises: 58,000 of 130,000 registered doctors renewed licence, says MDCN
- 34-Km Ikorodu-Itokin Road Reconstruction: Gov Sanwo-Olu, Senator Abiru Pay Thank You Visit To Works Minister, Umahi, Make Case For Road Dualisation
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC Chairman’s conduct suggest vendetta, not fight against corruption – Concerned APC chieftains
- LASG Promote Environment Hygiene, Steps up Campaign to end open Defecation
- Odumeje ‘Indaboski’ is a true man of God, says Nkechi Blessing
- Workers trapped as building collapses in Kano