LOOTERS LIST: Ex-Niger Gov Aliyu threatens to sue Nigerian govt, as Fani-Kayode, others kick

Following the inclusion of his name in the list of looters released by the Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, has vowed to drag the Federal Government to court.

Also, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, and erstwhile Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, have all kicked against the inclusion of their names in the list.

The former governor in a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Israel Abije, described the inclusion of his name in the list of looters as a plot tarnish his image.

Mohammed had in the fresh list of looters released on April 1, alleged that Aliyu took N1.6 billion from the office of the national security adviser.

But the former governor in his statement refuted the allegation saying that he was excluded from the sharing of the fund because he was a member of the G-7.

The G7 he made reference to, were seven governor’s of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who in 2013 broke away from the PDP, although Aliyu later returned in the party.

“I have never been mentioned in any ONSA disbursement since 2015. I have no case with the Federal Government over the alleged disbursement or any other. I have every reason to believe the looters’ list in which my name was included was drafted to tarnish me before right thinking Nigerians.

“I believe somebody somewhere is leveraging on the unfortunate case I have with the Niger State Government to present a bogus dragnet of alleged looters. Let me therefore urge the Federal Government to de-list me immediately from the alleged looters.

“I demand that my name be cleared on this matter. I may consider other options as a citizen whose right as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Government has been breached. I will not be used to serve the interest of anybody or political party. I will not allow this matter to slide without justice,” he said.

READ ALSO: With the dust of the first list yet to settle, FG releases second list of alleged looters

Also, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, and erstwhile Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, have all kicked against the inclusion of their names in the list.

While Igali described the inclusion of his name as totally false as no amount whatsoever has been recovered from him or traced to him, Fani-Kayode said listing his name was nonsensical and utterly shameful, saying that he was totally innocent of any wrongdoing.

Reports monitored by Ripples Nigeria, also showed that the senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaboshi, had also faulted the inclusion of his name in the fresh looters’ list.

 

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