NDDC: Akpabio Breaks Silence On Alleged $5m Bribe

The former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio has finally spoken about the alleged reports of him paying $5million bribe to the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

It had been reported that Akpabio allegedly bribed Malami, who is the Minister of Justice with $5million to secure the appointment of a Sole Administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Reacting to the report, Akpabio who is also the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs said the news is fake and those behind the report should provide evidence to back up their claim.

According to the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Anietie Ekong, the report is a “malicious concoction” and the handiwork of mischief-makers.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio said his attention has been drawn to a piece of fake news which claimed that he paid $5 million bribe to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and others to secure the appointment of a Sole Administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)," Ekong wrote in the statement.

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"The Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs stated categorically that ‘this is a piece of malicious concoction manufactured from the pit of hell by mischief-makers.

"It is a figment of the imagination of the author of the fake news. Senator Akpabio denies the story in its entirety. The authors of the fake news should be ready to back up their claim or face the full wrath of the law.’

“The fact is that in a suit number ABJ/CS/617/2020 filed by a Civil Society Organization, Forum for Accountability and Good Governance, at a Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Ahmed Mohammed had granted an order restraining the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC from performing the functions of the board and accessing the Commission’s offices and files.  

“The Order clearly listed the Managing Director Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, Acting Executive Director of Projects Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Mrs Caroline Nagboh and Cecilia Akintomide as those restrained.

“The Order also asked that ‘the most senior civil servant or administrator in the Commission be appointed’ to take charge of the Commission.  

“It was based on this order that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the elevation of the Acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Effiong Akwa, being the most Senior Administrator to take over the headship of the NDDC as an Interim Administrator pending the completion of the Forensic Audit Exercise.”