Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has debunked allegations that he made personal gains from the travails of abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu.
Sharibu was the only Christian girl among the 112 kidnapped from their school — Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state — by Boko Haram members on February 19, 2018.
Using the Twitter hashtag Reno Undarted, some social media users accused the US-based pastor of printing T-shirts branded with Sharibu’s name, selling them and diverting the proceeds for himself.
They further accused him of collecting funds from some local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and international charity organisations in Sharibu’s name and keeping the funds for himself.
However, Omokri, who was Special Assistant to President Jonathan on New Media, said that the allegations were baseless and designed to tarnish his image.
He further counter-accused his accusers of launching a campaign to make him abandon the innocent girl in Boko Haram captivity.
Omokri also challenged anyone with evidence that he kept any funds raised for Sharibu for himself to come forward.
He made the rebuttal in a series of tweets on Friday:
1-I am currently enjoying the time of my life in Ethiopia and I am too BLESSED to be STRESSED by the DISTRESSED. I started the #FreeLeahSharibu movement and I‘ve not and will not make money from it. I wrote a book on Leah Sharibu and gave ALL the money to her mum #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/W4z1ZZrEu2
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
2-I uses my own money to make #FreeLeahSharibu T-Shirts and I sold them to the public and asked buyers to pay the money DIRECTLY to Leah's father's account. If there is anyone who has paid me money in public or secret, then be bold enough to EXPOSE me #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/eVZXLNTD80
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
3-I have NOT collected money from any CHARITY or FOUNDATION. Why would I? MONEY is not my PROBLEM. My PROBLEM is how to INVEST and SPEND the money I made LEGALLY from my Number One Bestseller. God APPOINTED me. My haters can't UNDART or DISAPPOINT me #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/A1bGVMyDCN
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
4-Because of the #FreeLeahSharibu movement, I I have been to 27 countries in 2019 (so far) with MY OWN MONEY. I have met and convinced world leaders, including @BorisJohnson, and pop stars, including Shalamar, to wear the Free Leah T-Shirts ON MY OWN DIME #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/nYkZfxP4iv
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
5-I went to Mount Everest because of #FreeLeahSharibu and made the movement go global. My money and my money alone is driving the movement. I have not collected a DIME from any local or international agency. If you have proof to the contrary, EXPOSE me #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/QdH5KlqQXc
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
6-I don't mean to be vain. I only say this because of what these bitter haters are saying. But, God blessed me with:
GOOD LOOKS
GOOD BOOKS, and
GOOD MONEY.
So of course they will hate me. They want to be me. But it is not by power or might, but by God's grace #FreeLeahSharibu pic.twitter.com/esZhGClKzq
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
7-Finally, if I have taken money from any agency or charity, then may God PUBLICLY punish me. But if these haters have falsely accused me, then my Father in heaven, please PUBLICLY avenge me. Meanwhile, #FreeLeahSharibu continues. Haters, think of new LIES #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/LQ1CMXjD0w
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
I am waiting for ANYONE, ANYWHERE, who has paid me money over #FreeLeahSharibu to EXPOSE me. All monies from the sale of the #FreeLeahSharibu T-Shirts were paid DIRECTLY to Leah's father. They want me to ABANDON Leah, but God willing, that will NEVER happen! #RenosNuggets pic.twitter.com/BvlW9jcTh6
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 21, 2019
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