Okonjo-Iweala: Oshiomhole After Me Because I Blocked His ‘Dubious N15bn Loan’

A former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has
urged the federal government to call the Edo State
Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to order, saying Mr.
Oshiomhole is seeking how to link her to the $2.1 billion
arms probe.
Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she had “absolutely nothing” to do
with the arms issue.
The Nigerian government has made high profile arrests in
connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged
$2.1 billion arms contract.
Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was
arrested Tuesday.
Mr. Oshiomhole was quoted Wednesday by Leadership
newspaper as saying the immediate past finance minister,
and former President Goodluck Jonathan, should also be
prosecuted as they gave approval for funds to be released.
“The issue is whether the Nigerian president under the
constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to
local, state and federal government- funds that have not
been appropriated by the National Assembly,” Mr.
Oshiomhole was quoted by the paper as saying.
“That is a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought
to face criminal prosecution. These things are just
discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the
truth and don’t care what people will say,” he said.
In an emailed statement signed by her spokesperson, Paul
Nwabuiku, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said that it is an abuse of
public office, the judicial process and her human rights for
Governor Oshiomhole “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”.
“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,” the former
minister said.
The former minister said it was unconscionable for the
governor to embark on a “campaign of lies against her
because she thwarted his dubious loan request”.
She described the governor’s unsubstantiated allegations
as a “cynical personalization of the anti-corruption
campaign to achieve ignoble objectives”.
“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,” her spokesperson said.
“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!” the statement said.