Oshiomhole‘Okonjo-Iweala should face criminal prosecution,’ Governor says
Oshiomhole, who had previously criticized Okonjo-Iweala for her
handling of Nigeria’s economy, made the remark during a recent
interview.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has said that former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala should face criminal prosecution for spending public funds without the National Assembly’s approval.
Oshiomhole, who had previously criticized Okonjo-Iweala for her handling of Nigeria’s economy, made the remark during an interview with Leadership.
“The
issue is whether the Nigerian President under the constitution has the
power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal government-
funds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly. That is
a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal
prosecution,” he said.
“These things are
just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the truth and
don’t care what people will say. Talking about revelation, look at the
letter credited to Dasuki – the immediate past National Security
Adviser. In his defence which I read in your paper, he seems to admit
that money was spent but it was approved by the President. Does the
Nigerian constitution empower the President to spend money which has not
been appropriated by the National Assembly?
“And
they took cash from the CBN. The Money Laundering Act says if you take
cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it
is criminal. So, by Dasuki’s letter, he has also confirmed that
Okonjo-Iweala is a privy to spending money never appropriated and
therefore criminal, and that cash were being moved contrary to the money
laundering act. Just using Dasuki’s own defence, you can see a case of
conspiracy has been established between Dasuki, Okonjo-Iweala and all
those involved in that transaction,” Oshiomhole added.
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