Alleged N9.9b sleaze fund not mine, says Ambode

The immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, cleared the air over a statement attributed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging that it had frozen some accounts containing about N9.9 billion linked to him.

Ambode in a statement released on his behalf by his media aide, Habib Aruna, said no account of his contained N9.9 billion let alone being frozen by the EFCC.

He stated that he was joyful for the opportunity to have served Lagos State diligently, stressing that he served the state with utmost dedication and integrity.

The former governor said while he did not intend to join issues with the anti-corruption agency at this time especially as there has been no communication between him and the Commission on the issue, it was pertinent to clarify what he believed was a misleading import of the press statement, which was released last Tuesday.

According to him, the accounts in question that were frozen by the Federal High Court belong to the Lagos State Government and not him or any individual.

“Those accounts were opened in the course of normal operations by the Lagos State Government for its administrative purposes and not for the former Governor’s personal transactions as was being wrongly insinuated and have been operated to ensure smooth operations of government activities by previous and present administrations. The former governor was not and will never be involved in any unauthorised use of government property and resources.

“We strongly believe that after four demanding years as chief executive of Lagos State, Ambode is entitled to some deserved rest with his family and loved ones without the unwarranted attacks on his well-earned reputation,” the statement added.

Ambode noted that at this critical time in our polity, all hands must be on deck to support “our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) both at the state and national levels in order to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to Lagosians and Nigerians respectively.”

He re-assured Nigerians that he remains committed to the ideals of President Muhammadu Buhari and the founding fathers of the party for the attainment of the next level for Nigeria.

He also extended warm Sallah greetings to President Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire leadership of the party as well as every Lagosian.

The former governor prayed that the lessons of Sallah would serve as a catalyst for the much-needed bond and spirit of brotherliness among all and sundry in our great country.

Nigerian Guardian News