The Executive Director in charge of Public Sector at First Bank, MallamDaudaLawal, who was detained by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) some time ago over allegations of fraud has come out to say what he disclosed to the anti-graft agency about former minister Diezani Madueke.
Lawal, made this disclosure in a statement Wednesday, saying that he was actually questioned about his relationship with Mrs.Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Lawal also said he was “questioned by the EFCC over his alleged role or complicity in the alleged $25m acquisition of the Le Meridien Hotel in Port Harcourt.”
He did deny however allegations that the former minister channeled the funds for the purchase of the property through him.
He said, “This allegation is malicious and without substance in any material particular. It must be stated clearly that Lawal is completely oblivious of the ownership status of the said hotel neither is he directly or remotely aware of any transaction involving the former Minister on this hotel.”
Lawal believes that a lot of the heat he received was due to his close working relationship with Madueke which he claims was strictly in a professional capacity.
“As the Executive Director in charge of Public sector of the bank, it is incumbent on him to build the necessary bridges to attract all the benefits the bank can muster from the financial operations of the public sector.” He said.
“For the purpose of emphasis, MallamLawalDauda has never been a conduit for movement of illicit funds neither has he been involved in the purchase of any hotel either here or elsewhere. This much was told to the EFCC during his interrogation.”
“The former minister, given the influence she wielded within the government and operations in the oil sector was certainly an asset to any corporate Organisation, especially the banks.
All the banks in Nigeria and abroad actively sought to have banking relationships with her because she sat atop a sector which is the prime revenue spinner for the country. It is to Mr.Lawal’s credit that the First Bank group participated actively in offering financial services to the oil industry under Madueke.