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FRAUD: I can’t refund what I didn’t steal —Ize-Iyamu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has distanced himself from an ongoing allegations of N700 million fraud.
Ize-Iyamu mentioned this in an interview on Arise TV on Sunday where he said he cannot refund the money to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), because he never stole the money.
The APC candidate said, “The EFCC case against me for N700m, I have made it very clear that the so-called money was never paid into my account. It was never given to me. All I did was that they wanted somebody to verify that the money for campaign came. And I, along with two others, went to the bank and confirmed it.
Read also: EDO GUBER: Allow Ize-Iyamu campaign, Wike taunts Oshiomhole
“From the bank, the money was taken not to my house, but to the house of the leader of the party. And when they got there, the money was distributed to the 18 local government chairmen of the party and they all signed for it. Not one kobo was given to me. These are facts available to the court; these are facts available to the EFCC.
“The EFCC’s own is that we ought to refund the money and I said how can I refund what I did not collect? If I took the money, I may say yes, I will refund it; but I didn’t take it, not a kobo did I take. So, my conscience is clear and my credibility is intact.”
He is currently facing trial for allegedly receiving N700m for campaigns during the build-up to the 2015 general elections.
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