The Nigerian Governors Forum on Sunday responded to allegations levelled by a former member of the House of Representatives and consultant of Paris Club, Ned Nwoko, that he paid some money to facilitate governance in some states, including conducting elections in Ekiti and Ondo States.
The forum said it was a “desperate, spurious and futile advocacy” allegedly mounted and coordinated by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to justify the plundering of $418.9m from the public treasury of the states and local governments.
The NGF, in a statement by its Director (Media and Public Affairs), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said contrary to the claims by Nwoko, the Delta North candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, it had never received $100 million.
According to him, the salient facts on the fraud associated with the Paris Club refunds can never be changed by Malami or any of the consultants.
Bello-Barkindo said the facts would always remain whether the claims of the consultants were lawful and whether any judgment which is a subject of a pending appeal can be enforced or executed as the consultants now attempt to do.
He said, “The NGF, hereby, states unequivocally that it has not at any time been involved in or been in receipt of $100m or any other funds from Ned Nwoko to finance elections in any state.
“Perhaps, confirming our fears and that of the public that the AGF has abdicated his role as public defender and trustee and become the strongest advocate to the consultants is now evident in Ned Nwoko’s press statement wherein he praised the role played by the AGF.
“Undoubtedly, the salient facts on the fraud associated with the Paris Club refunds can never be changed by a thousand press statements by the AGF or any of the consultants.
“As the judgments of the appellate courts, particularly that of the Supreme Court have begun to expose the creepiness and unlawful nature of the consultants claims; it is not surprising that they are now afflicted by dizzy spells, seriously discomforted and are now driven by desperation to ensure that the plundering and fleecing of the state is quickly completed before the determination of the pending proceedings in the appellate and other courts in order to foist a situation of frustration and helplessness on the states.
“This is obvious as the consultants are not in a position to restore the funds to the states if they lose on appeal; as it is becoming apparent.”
The NGF put the total amount which all the consultants are seeking from states and local governments as $418,953,690.59.
It gave the details as: Ned Nwoko ($68,658,192.83); Dr. Ted Isighohi Edwards ($159,000,000); Panic Alert Security Systems Limited ($47,831,920); Riok Nig. Limited ($142,028,941.95); Orji Orizu ($1,219,440.45) and Olaitan Bello (USD215,195.36).
