Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, says he has evidence
showing that the huge cash recently seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos State belongs to his state
government.
Featuring on Channel’s television, Wike disclosed that at
the appropriate time, the evidence will be revealed for the world to see.
The governor said he would not give any evidence yet, so
that the Federal Government would not know the state government’s moves.
He said, “The ultimatum I gave on the recovered money hasn’t
elapsed. Yes, I did that, but you have lawyers working with you. They tell you;
wait, we don’t want to go by the way you have said. Although I am a lawyer too,
I am sitting as a governor. I am directly affected and emotionally involved.
“The so-called government has set up a committee. Let’s wait
and see what the committee would say. Let’s see whether they will or will not
invite the state government.
“We cannot make submissions to the committee because you
don’t know where they meet; you don’t know where they sit. Everybody knows the
money belongs to Rivers State. Who are all the people making contentions about
the money? They are the same government. Don’t mind that the NIA DG was not
appointed by the present government. He was in government.
“Despite claims by the NIA DG, the CBN came out to say, ‘how
did you get this money? We didn’t give you any money.’ Who would release such volume
of dollars to a government agency and security agency? Where would it come out
from? They have denied the money.
“When you are fighting powerful forces, you don’t let out
your strategies. All I know is that this money belongs to Rivers and no amount
of intimidation or going to court can scare us.
“If I tell you how that money came to be ours, am I not
revealing secrets to them? Everybody saw what happened how the money (for power
assets in Rivers) was paid and given to the bureau de change. When we get to
the point of the full details, everything will be open. Don’t tell us to come
out with our evidence. We will come out when it is the appropriate time.”
By Seun Opejobi
