MICHAEL AKINOLA
Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, has denied ownership of the 47 brand new vehicles recently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In a recent exclusive chat with P.M.EXPRESS, Igali described the report that 47 brand new Special Utility Vehicles, SUVs were recovered from him as “most ludicrous and dramatic story”.
“Recall that on Ash Wednesday (1 March) the beginning of Lent, a most ludicrous and dramatic story about recovery of 47 brand new SUVs from me again hit the news. The last time this happened was on Christmas. I had deliberately maintained silence in the past on the matter, but only want to mention this time that this is totally untrue,” Bayelsa-born Igali told P.M.EXPRESS.
According to the former permanent secretary, the purported revelation contained in a report submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Senate Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption last Wednesday was “inaccurate as the 47 vehicles were mostly buses and hiluxes”‘
Igali said the vehicles were bought with a bank loan and were left overs from those bought for the campaign for the reelection of former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
“The 47 vehicles impounded by the EFCC in early 2016 were mostly buses and hiluxes and I am aware they were all bought with a bank loan. These were left overs from the vehicles bought for the defunct Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Campaign Organisation,” the former Ambassador disclosed.
During its submission of report to the Senate, the EFCC had claimed that the vehicles were seized at the Utako, Abuja residence of the former Permanent Secretary.
But Igali said none of those vehicles were found in his house or kept in his custody.
“It’s most hurtful but I thank God for everything. He is in total control and still rules in the affairs of men. My family and I own only four cars and an unserviceable boat, the newest being 2014 and we thank God for that provision.