A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has berated the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, describing her service to Nigeria as one based on lies, deceit and disregard for due process.
The senior advocate said this in a three-page statement on Wednesday while reacting to Okonjo-Iweala’s diatribe against him. Okonjo-Iweala had on Monday described Falana as an ‘integrity-challenged charlatan’ who was being sponsored by corrupt elements.
The former minister had also slammed Falana for attempting to implicate her in the $2.1bn arms scam and drag her before the International Criminal Court.
However, Falana said it was hypocritical of Okonjo-Iweala to attempt to extricate herself from the corruption that characterised the last administration. He said her service record was that of scandals and scams.
He noted that the N2.5tn fuel subsidy scam, the $2bn arms scam, the mismanaged $1bn Gen. Sani Abacha loot and many other episodes of financial impropriety came up under Okonjo-Iweala as finance minister. He, therefore, questioned the former minister’s right to claim innocence.
Falana said anytime Okonjo-Iweala was challenged with hard facts, she resorted to name-calling.
He said, “Her baseless attack is not unusual as she is always quick to deflect criticisms by accusing anyone seeking to hold her to account for her appalling records in government of ulterior political motives.
“When former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, alleged that about N30tn could not be accounted for under her watch, he was described as ‘an embittered loser in the Nigerian political space.’
“When Governor Adams Oshiomhole questioned the illegal withdrawal of $2bn from the Excess Crude Account, he was accused of having animus towards her because she had blocked Edo State from obtaining a loan.
“Therefore, instead of exchanging vulgar abuse with the former minister, I shall respond to the diversionary allegations which lacerated her response and the attempt to extricate herself from the mass looting of the commonwealth under her watch.”
The rights activist said every attempt by Okonjo-Iweala to explain her role in the arms scam had been illogical.
Falana wondered how Okonjo-Iweala could have released the recovered Abacha loot to the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, when she knew that the Seventh Assembly had approved a loan of $1bn for former President Goodluck Jonathan to fight insurgency.
He added, “Whereas the former finance minister had insisted that only $500m was recovered from the Abacha loot, my petition detailed the recovery of $4bn. As she could not challenge my claim, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala now says that the $500m was the amount recovered while she was the minister of finance under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“In making that claim, she did not take cognisance of her recent statement that while she gave out $322m to Dasuki, the sum of $700m had been set aside for development. From her own account, over $1bn was recovered from the loot under the Jonathan regime when she was coordinating the economy.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala should have also provided further explanations as to why a substantial part of the Abacha loot was criminally diverted under her watch, especially in the light of her confessional statement that she transferred $322m from the Abacha loot to Dasuki to prosecute the war on terror.”
Falana alleged that the former minister also released £5.5m to Dasuki on a separate occasion and could thus not claim to be ignorant of the scam that took place under her nose.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s excuse that the said $322m was released due to the urgency of the crisis in the North-East is untenable having regard to the fact that former President Jonathan had sought the approval of the National Assembly to take a loan of $1bn to equip the armed forces to fight insurgency.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mr noisemaker, Nigerians are sick and tired of this your foolish and silly vituperations.If you are looking for appointment Baba does not give appointment to a person like you who contributed nothing to his campains and election funds. It is natural and makes business sense.It is only those who invested in the business of his election that will be reaping their divident now. So, noisemaker nothing for you. No amount of noise making be cause you cannot reap where you did not sow.Sorry for you.I trust Baba.
ReplyDeleteGet real Seun, this is a serious issue here. We seem to venerate Oknjo Iweala because of her scholarly achievements to a point of blindness. There is due process in appropriating a people's commonwealth, mind you. Has Oknkjo Iweala played by these rules? Why is she always prevaricating in the face of hard facts? Truth be told, Okonjo Iweala was corrupt. Can she do all these in the USA where she was trained? Now, I am beginning to read meanings into the degrading of her office by Obasanjo in his re-election. She is craftily venal. Attention Prince Nwoye: We are awaiting your comment.
DeleteOga Seun! Did you not read the logic in Falana's response to the unconvincing diatribe of Madam Ngozi? When will people like you stop jumping to insult good critics of Nigeria's looters? Did you, by any chance happen to be part of the orgiastic distribution of the loot?
DeleteFalana is showing the entire world that he is not qualified to be a SAN. ICC cannot be an arbitrator in a case of corruption. You can only approach them if a competent court has proved that Dasuki received money directly from Okonjo without approval and used it to buy arms for boko haram. In that he will be trying prove guilt by implication and not by participation. Falana should quietly go back to law school and drop that SAN of his.
ReplyDeleteOkonjo can not feign ignorance of all this stolen funds. As a Minister of finance, madam okonjo was not a stooge. In a developed world she would have resigned honourably when the madness started. You can't live in the same room with an armed robber and claim innocence. Okonjo should stop throwing tantrums.
ReplyDeleteDis useless Lawyer shld go look 4 job and stop been envious and hateful! Why hang a dog 4rm callin it a bad name...U r d most ignorant lawyer I've seen in dis country...get a life pls!!!
ReplyDeleteDis useless Lawyer shld go look 4 job and stop been envious and hateful! Why hang a dog 4rm callin it a bad name...U r d most ignorant lawyer I've seen in dis country...get a life pls!!!
ReplyDeleteGet real Seun, this is a serious issue here. We seem to venerate Okonjo Iweala to a point of blindness because of her scholarly achievements. There is due process in appropriating a people's commonwealth, mind you. Has Okonjo Iweala played by these rules? Why is she always prevaricating in the face of hard facts? Truth be told, Okonjo Iweala was corrupt. Can she do all these in the USA where she was trained? Now, I am beginning to read meanings into the degrading of her office by Obasanjo in his re-election. She is craftily venal. Attention Prince Nwoye: We are awaiting your comment.
ReplyDeleteI found some people comment really awkward, and annoying. The truth was said to be bitter... I saw nothing wrong in anything falana wrote. If she, okonje had done d thing d looting of nigeria treasury won't be di bad... Nemesis will call on u all mongers I believe that siphoned all money meant for the up keeping nigerian. If escape it here on earth I know u can't escape heaven.
ReplyDeleteWhy all this abuse? Did she follow due process or not?
ReplyDeleteMY ONLY BLAME TO THE EX MINISTER IS THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE HONOURABLY RESIGNED HER APPOINTMENT WHEN SHE REALIZED THE APPOINTMENT WAS IN JEOPARDY!
ReplyDeleteOkonjo iwialla is a corrupt minister.she should account for the money she releases outside approprietion. Mr.falana is doing the right thing.
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