THE consultant to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, on the refund of Paris Club fund to the Forum’s member states, Dr Kayode Ajulo, on Monday debunked the speculation making the round that the Forum and its Director-General, Mr Asishana Okauru were being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N19 billion fraud
Speaking with news men in Abuja yesterday, Ajulo declared that the Forum’s DG was never arrested by the Agency as being claimed especially in the Social Media ,describing the report “as satanic hoax” which should be disregarded by the Public.
While lambasting those behind the rumours for feeding the members of the public with falsehood, Ajulo maintained that the anti graft agency did not arrest Mr Asishana Okauru as erroneously peddled.
According to him, ”EFCC as far as I know in my legal practice will conduct due diligence before arrest are made, and will equally get arrest warrant from Court of competent jurisdiction before effecting any arrest.”
“Institutions like the EFCC are a creation of Nigeria’s laws. The least expected of those who are appointed to head them is to be objective at all times in the discharge of their statutory roles without fear or favour, and not allow their personal interests to get in their way of duty.”
”We read with utter disdain the misleading and damaging report that Mr Asishana Okauru who is the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, was arrested over an alleged N19 billion fraud purportedly committed by governors, this is not only false but shameful, vicious and unfortunate.”
”I implore all faceless hatchet men and fifth columnists to retrace their steps and allow Mr Asishana Okauru a fair hearing. They should desist from dragging in the mud the good name and reputation he has built for himself over the years.”
“This is an individual who had once worked as director of EFCC’s Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and I think he should be treated with dignity and full respect especially now that no crime was traced to him.”
“We are sufficiently aware that all financial dealings in Nigeria Governors’ Forum followed due process, with no infringement to economic or financial laws of the land.”
“There are records to validate the veracity of our claims at any time; this media trial is highly regrettable, baseless and unnecessary.”
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is an Association of high profile Nigerians who are Chief Executive Officers of their States, functioning as a single united entity in knowledge sharing and working for the overall good of the country,” he stated.
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