N7BILLION LOOT: NO, THIS NEVER HAPPENED! – IGALI

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a broadcast on Sunday released a list of persons connected with PDP considered to have ‘looted’ various sums from government treasury and that such sums had been recovered from them.

Amongst the persons mentioned on the list was the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali. The renowned administrator has reacted to the publication and broadcast by refuting the allegation against him.

Dr. Igali said, “On account of my background, I am normally taciturn.  But I cannot keep silent against such weighty unfounded allegation. Not surprisingly, my name was smuggled into the list, against a whooping ‘loot’ of N7Billion. I understand, Amb. Godknows Igali was dragged in last minute, to create the needed effect. After all, “he’s one of Jonathan’s main men”!
For the avoidance of doubt, this is totally false; as no amount whatsoever has been recovered from me or traced to me. Indeed, N7billion recovered from which accounts, which banks and when? My life has been an open book of distinguished Public Service in Diplomatic Service, Scholarship and Administration. In all places where I had served, the records are there for all to see. I continue to stand tall and remain undaunted. I am of modest background and very simple lifestyle.  I am extremely contented and awesomely grateful to God.

The renowned administrator and favoured candidate for Bayelsa governorship race under the PDP, lamented that this was the third time the present administration had hit the headlines with negative news about him since 2016 and coincidentally all the three occasions were during festive periods. He said that the most prominent was the tale of 45 SUVs supposedly found in his compound, which by now has been confirmed a fabrication and fake news.

Amb. Igali said that it was now common knowledge that the vehicles in question were leftovers from the erstwhile Jonathan-Sambo Campaign bought with a bank loan and confiscated from the premises of a known business concern which had no connection whatsoever with him. He wondered if the loan now being recovered forcefully had been termed’loot’.

He narrated further that with President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss of the election and peaceful exit from office in 2015, he knew that some of them close to him, especially him, will suffer and carry lots of crosses. He said that they have continued to pursue without relenting.

“Yes, some of us are victims and scapegoats. It’s all obscene, unfair and ungodly! But then, these and many more afflictions will come like floods and pass. There is nothing new under the sun. So it is well, indeed!” Ambassador Igali said.