The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied that the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukayode and the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba met a former and serving Governor in South South state 48hrs before a planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the minister denied the alleged visit describing it as a lie from “ pit of hell” and a “ figment of the imagination” of naysayers.
In the statement signed by the Special Assistant to the President on Communication & Publicity, to the minister, Kamarudeen Ogundele stated that the statement credited to a spokesman of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe was a “ feeble attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration’s fight against corruption.”
The government, while calling on the public to “ disregard” the information as the President Bola Tinubu’s government was not deterred on its avowed war against corruption “ irrespective of whose ox is gored.”
Part of the statement reads”
“ The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to an interview granted on a national TV station by the spokesperson of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Paul Ibe, where he made some contemptuous remarks.
“ Mr Ibe had insinuated that the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, met a former and incumbent governor of a South-South state 48 hours to their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“ Although he failed to mention their names, the discerning members of the public know those he could have been referring to.
“ However, we wish to state categorically that the allegation is from the pit of hell, and at best, a figment of imagination of Mr Ibe.
“ We know as a fact that the EFCC chairman and the Solicitor General of the Federation never met any serving or former governor as alleged by him.
“ We appeal to the members of the public to disregard the insinuation as it was a feeble attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration’s fight against corruption.
“ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will continue to uphold the rule of law and will not falter in the fight against corruption no matter whose ox is gored.”