Seized Ikoyi cash belongs to NIA, not Rivers state – Source

Seized Ikoyi cash belongs to NIA, not Rivers state – Source

- A source has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari is aware that the money recovered from the Ikoyi apartment belongs to the National Intelligence Agency

- The source says the director-general of NIA had a conversation that lasted about one hour with acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, prior to the invasion of the house where the money was kept

- According to the source, the NIA operatives avoided a shoot-out with EFCC operatives to avert embarrassing the government

A Source has disclosed that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is planning to officially apply to reclaim the $43 million, £27,000 and N23 million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from a building on Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

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The source told Vanguard that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware that the money was NIA’s and had even inspected some of its covert operations on which part of the money was spent.

Legit.ng recalls that operatives of the EFCC, acting on a tip-off on Wednesday, April 12, said they found $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23, 218,000 hidden inside an apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi.

The funds are valued at N13 billion based on prevailing exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

NIA moves to officially reclaim Ikoyi cash from EFCC
The money recovered from Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, is valued at N13 billion based on prevailing exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The NIA laid claims to the money after some top personalities denied ownership of the money

According to the source, the director-general of NIA had a conversation that lasted about one hour with acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, prior to the invasion of the house but was ignored.

The source said NIA operatives avoided a shoot-out with EFCC operatives to avert embarrassing the government.

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Explaining why the money was kept in a building in a residential area, the source said: “Such monies are kept in safe houses in residential areas so as not to arouse suspicion. It is the practice everywhere in the world.”

The source also dismissed claims by dismissed claims by Governor Wike that the money was that of Rivers state government’s money.

Legit.ng recalls that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state who had at the weekend laid claim to ownership of the N13 billion found in a building at Ikoyi by the EFCC, asked Christians in the state to pray fervently to God to intercede for the state to recover the money.

Wike made the call days after he warned that he could take legal actions against the federal government if the $43 million recovered recently was not returned.

The governor said the recovered fund was part of the money looted by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, now the minister of Transport under President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the video below, Legit.ng decides to make someone happy this Easter period.

Source: Legit.ng

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