Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has refuted media reports claiming the sum of N9.9 billion was traced to his account. The media had relied on a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where it said it had got a court order to freeze the bank accounts this money was kept.
But reacting in a statement, the immediate past Governor of Lagos said no account of his contained N9.9 billion, let alone being frozen by the EFCC.
He said in the spirit of Sallah and having served Lagos State well with utmost dedication and integrity, his record was very clear and his mind joyful for the opportunity to have served the state diligently.
His media aide, Mr Habib Aruna, who issued the statement, said Mr Ambode does 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 this issue. He however, said it was pertinent to clarify what he believed was a misleading import of the press statement on Tuesday.
According to the former governor, 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 unauthorized use of government property and resources.
“We strongly believe that after four demanding years as Chief Executive of Lagos State, Mr Ambode is entitled to some deserved rest with his family and loved ones without the unwarranted attacks on his well-earned reputation,” the statement said.
It added that the former Governor believes that at this critical time in the nation’s 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.”
The former governor, therefore, 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.
Former Governor Ambode also extended warm Sallah greetings to President Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; national leader of the party, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the entire leadership of APC as well as every Lagosian, praying that the lessons of Sallah will serve as a catalyst for the much-needed bond and spirit of brotherliness among all and sundry in our great country.
Adedapo Adesanya