Former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu has opened up on the Ikoyi property where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered huge sum of money on Wednesday.
Muazu stated in a Facebook post that he built the property but that all the flats have been sold to prospective buyers in order to pay back the loan with which he built the house.
Officials on Wednesday recovered $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 at an apartment, located at flat 7B, No. 13 Osborne road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi. The building was linked to Muazu.
In responding to questions about what he knows about the cash found in the house, the former PDP Chairman said:
“My attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds that I own the building on No.16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. I want to state clearly that I built the said property and sold to prospective buyers of individual flats.
“I have been a property developer since 1983 and I have developed and sold several properties all over the world, the property in question happens to be one of them. I acquired the land and jointly develop it using a bank loan, I obtained about nine (9) years ago.
“However all the flats have been sold to prospective buyers in order to pay back the loan. I do not own or occupy any of the apartments. I sold all the apartments through established estate agents as such I have no knowledge or interest in who purchases or rents any of the flats.
“I commend the efforts of the official of the EFCC and the government’s drive at fighting corruption and also the media in informing the public on illicit and corrupt proceeds.
“My response is not intended to jeopardise or interfere with the ongoing investigation of the anti-graft and security agencies but to clear the misconception that the house in question belongs to me. I strongly believe that the efforts being made will surely unveil the real owner of such flat and the monies recovered.”
Nnamdi-Ogbue Denies Ownership Of Ikoyi Money
In a related development the woman accused of owning the money found by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) in Osborn towers, Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue has denied ownership of the funds.
Emeka Etiaba, the lawyer to Nnamdi-Ogbue, said in a statement on Thursday that the news making the round that the money, in different foreign currencies, was associated to his client is false.
The EFCC on Wednesday burst the Osborne Tower where the money in various currencies was recovered.
The money included $38,000,000.00 , N23,000,000.00 and £27,000.00.
Etiaba said that the money and/or the apartment where the sums of money were found do not belong to his client.
He added: “Our client is as shocked as many other Nigerians at the uncovering and recovery of the said sums of money and wishes to salute the courage and efforts of the EFCC in the war against corruption.
“She also wishes to commend the whistle blowing policy introduced by the Federal Government in the fight against corruption which policy has resulted in large scale uncovering and recovery of monies and assets.’’
“It is our client’s belief that the source and ownership of the said uncovered sums of money is known or eventually will be known by the EFCC in due course. There is therefore no need for conjecture or speculation.’’
He advised the media to be more circumspect in their publications.
