PDP Reacts As EFCC Claim N1.28bn Was Lavished On Secondus, Others

PDP Reacts As EFCC Claim N1.28bn Was Lavished On Secondus, Others

In continuation of the confrontation between the Federal Government and the Peoples Democratic Party, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is alleging that N1.28 billion was spent on acquiring exotic vehicles for PDP chairman Uche Secundus and two others – one of his predecessors, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Senator Albert Bassey.

According to documents obtained by TheNation, Secondus got vehicles or gifts worth N310million-N472.5million; Mua’zu, N504, 500,000 and Bassey received N303m.

Secundus however dismissed the claim in a swift reaction last night, describing it as continuation of his media trial.

“We are already in court on some of these allegations. If anybody has anything to prove, let him go to court. We know that this is a continuation of blackmail and media trial against the PDP national chairman,” his spokesman Ike Abonyi said.

The documents further show that about N250million was traced to Secondus as remittance in two tranches from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The EFCC meanwhile claim that the desk officers who handed over the cash to the beneficiaries have made statements to the EFCC.

One of them reportedly said: “The money (N50million) was paid to Uche Secondus but the purpose was not known. It was based on the directive of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

“One could remember that a payment of N200million was made to Uche Secondus as directed by the former NSA. The purpose was unknown.”

According to the fact-sheet obtained from the anti-graft commission, the vehicles were purchased from Skymit Motors from the proceeds of what was due to the nation from the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Nigeria Limited and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The documents also indicated that 50 vehicles were purchased for Secondus between June 28, 2013 and November 2014.

“Secondus was invited on February 23, 2016 in respect of investigation into alleged case of fraud and money laundering. He made a statement and he was granted bail on March 2, 2016,” the document stated.

“He is on bail and the surety is still there for him. The condition of the bail is very clear: That Secondus will be invited when required and he must honour the invitation.”

In his statement to EFCC, Secondus wrote: “All these gifts came to me  from the Chairman of Atlantic Energy, Chief Jide Omokore over the years.

“I am not aware of the proceeds from Strategic Alliance Agreement being used to purchase the gifts.”

On Mua’zu, a former governor of Bauchi State, the EFCC said the vehicles allegedly bought for him included: Mercedez G-63@N45million(19/5/14); Many vehicles @N247,500,000 (26/6/14) and another set of vehicles @ N212million on 14/814.

“The suspect is still on the run, the EFCC has not been able to interact with him,” the document said.

On Bassey, who also received a number of exotic cars from Atlantic Energy which allegedly paid for them from oil cash, a top source in EFCC said: “We have subsequently invited Senator Bassey twice but he has refused to honour our invitation. He was expected to come for interaction on Monday(yesterday) but he did not show up.”