We did not freeze Jonathan’s accounts – Presidency

The Presidency has said that there is no truth in allegations made by a group of protesters in Bayelsa state that the bank accounts of former President Goodluck Jonathan has been frozen.

The Presidency was reacting to allegations made by a group of protesters who stormed the streets of Yenogoa on Thursday, alleging the witchunt of the former President and his family.

The Presidency made the denial in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, on Friday, adding that it was not also true that the allowances due to the former president have been stopped.

According to Shehu, who insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to justice, said the president is being dragged into something he knows nothing about.

The statement reads: “The allegation by demonstrators in Bayelsa State on Thursday that allowances due to a former president have been stopped and his bank accounts frozen is patently untrue.

“We have confirmed with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that the former president and other past leaders were paid their allowances up to the second quarter.

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“The past leaders have not been paid third quarter allowances but will get their dues when remittances are received by the SGF from the Ministry of Finance.

“Also, the story of account closure is false. It is not known to the investigation agencies.

“The National Security Adviser to the President is not aware of this bank account closure; the SSS Director General is unaware of it; the EFCC is unaware and the IG of Police is not in the know.

“With all of these agencies not being involved, how then could a thing like that happen? In a dream perhaps!

“To put it starkly, we believe there is a clear motive for the demonstration that is different from that which was being canvassed.

“This is a premeditated attempt to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for something he knows nothing about.

“These claims are false and poorly sourced to present a picture of vendetta; and they should be disregarded by well-meaning members of the public.

“President Buhari remains committed to the ideals of justice and fairness to all, irrespective of creed, religion and political leanings. His administration will not engage in vendetta.”

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews

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