NIA says it won’t go to court to claim ownership of $50M
The EFCC had recovered the funds, in separate sums of $43 million, N23 million and 27,000 pounds, during a raid on Wednesday, April 12.
EFCC recovers cash from Ikoyi home
Recommended articles
![Taiwo Oyekanmi was killed by armed robbers at Kuto, Abeokuta. [Daily Trust]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Taiwo Oyekanmi was killed by armed robbers at Kuto, Abeokuta. [Daily Trust]")
The cash, which was recovered due to information provided by a whistleblower, was believed to have been stashed in the apartment by a looter until the NIA claimed that the money was allotted to it for “covert operations.”
“The money is going back to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the NIA will write to reapply for the fund, which was actually meant for a covert operation of the agency,” an NIA source told Daily Trust.
“You know this is a secret agency that is hardly in public glare. The money was meant for an operation and it was kept there and only spent with approval of the Presidency. The Presidency is aware of the funds and gave approvals for spending.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Like I told you, the money belongs to the NIA and the agency has no reason to join this issue if it were not its money. What does the NIA stand to benefit from shielding any politician? The agency will never smear its reputation in such manner. The fund belongs to the NIA and the agency will follow appropriate steps in reclaiming it,” the source added.
A Federal High Court in Lagos had, on Thursday April 13, ordered temporary forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.
Presiding judge, Justice Sule Hassan adjourned the case till May 5, 2017 to allow persons with interest in the money come before him to give reasons why it should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
ALSO READ: Confusion rages over ownership of $50M
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is also claiming ownership of the funds which he alleges were misappropriated from the state by his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.
ADVERTISEMENT
Amaechi has however denied the claim while describing Wike as a confused child.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Gunmen kill Ogun gov's office accountant, escape with money he withdrew from bank
FCTA demolishes alleged vehicle papers forgery hub in Mabushi
Wike seeks NASS approval to spend ₦61.6bn
PDP asks National Assembly to reject Tinubu’s 2024 budget
Dino Melaye explains why he won't challenge Kogi election results at tribunal
Governor Oborevwori presents ₦714.4bn 2024 budget for Delta State
Court orders Betta Edu to disclose details of ₦535.8m school feeding expenditure during lockdown
Adeleke approves ₦15,000 wage award for civil servants, ₦10,000 for pensioners
Nigerian Navy hands over 187 bags of cannabis sativa to NDLEA
Pulse Sports
Thiago Silva recalls TB fright ahead of Chelsea debut
Brazil vs Argentina: Bloody scenes at the Maracana as Brazilian police and Argentine fans clash
Arda Turan: Ex-Atletico star in hot tears after losing $13 million to ‘yahoo yahoo‘
Global Soccer Award: Osimhen to battle Messi and Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Scaloni's Argentina relationship set to end
ADVERTISEMENT
![FCT High Court admits Emefiele to ₦300 million bail [TheCable]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "FCT High Court admits Emefiele to ₦300 million bail [TheCable]")