Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said that Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole is trying to link her to the $2.1 billion arms probe because she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan.
The Federal government has made a couple of high profile arrests in connection with an on-going investigation into the alleged $2.1 billion arms contract. Former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki was arrested on Tuesday. Former Chairman of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi was also called in for questioning.
In a statement signed by her spokesperson, Paul Nwabuiku, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala explained that Oshionhole “whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.”
The statement read “As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would have left Edo state with a heavy debt burden and the state would have found it very difficult to pay back.
“Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala therefore put Mr. Oshiomhole and his ilk on notice that she has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means, local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and compromised persons.
“It has become a pattern of behaviour that each time Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is internationally recognized, Governor Oshiomhole and his cohorts embark on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally.
“Just last night, December 1, Okonjo-Iweala was honoured at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Okonjo Iweala was honoured alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity.
“Gov. Oshiomhole and his cohorts should realize that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala’s reputation will never succeed!”