Fides Media Living the Faith
…..”Not In Our Coffers Yet” – Delta Govt
By Sunny A. Ijomah
Delta State Government on Wednesday said it had not received from the Federal Government the 4.2 million pounds returned by the United Kingdom.
It said that although the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, had disclosed on Tuesday before the House of Representatives Committee on Recovered Assets, in Abuja, that the funds had been released to the State, the money had not arrived in its coffers.
The Government, however, said in a statement by Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba, that it was in contact with the Federal Government, especially the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, on the issue.
It expressed appreciation for the disposition of the Federal Government in releasing the funds to the State, and assured that it would acknowledge receipt of the funds when it arrives.
The Government also assured the Federal Government and Deltans that the funds would, in tandem with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Administration’s hallmark, be judiciously deployed especially in the completion of projects it had earlier intimated the Presidency about.
It would be recalled that the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, must have shot himself on the leg, thereby running from pilar to post refuting his earlier claims that the £4.2 million pounds paid into the Delta State coffers is being awaited.
A press release on Wednesday May 26th 2021, by the Director of Information, press and public relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, disclosed that issues surrounding the money has not been resolved.
The release titled “RE: £4.2m IBORI LOOT: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT”, insisted that there was need to put the records straight.
According to the press statement, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the £4.2m Ibori Loot.
“The issue of the £4.2m Ibori Loot has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State.
“This explanation is without prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday during which the AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to State Governments.