The controversy over former President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign funds cropped up on Monday when a nominee to the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, Hajia Maimuna Aliyu, denied allegations levelled against her.
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, had on Sunday dropped Aliyu and another nominee, Mr. Sa’ad Alanamu, on the grounds that they were being investigated by the ICPC.
But Aliyu, in a statement in Abuja attributed her predicament to a petition she wrote to anti-graft agencies, where she exposed the alleged fraud at the Aso Savings and Loans Plc.
She said Aso Savings and Loans Plc sold the land at Jahi, Abuja as part of efforts to recover N1bn donated to Jonathan’s campaign funds.
Aliyu stated that on June 21, 2017, she submitted the petition to the Department of State Services; the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as the ICPC and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
She said that nothing was done about the petition and those she accused were quick to go to the press to deny her of an appointment.
Aliyu stated, “No matter how long it takes; the real truth about the plundering and looting of Aso Savings and Loans Plc will be made open irrespective of the threat to my life and my family.
“I have been harassed and openly embarrassed as a result of this but I am resolute that the truth will vindicate me. It is important to note that being investigated does not amount to being guilty or culpable of the issues of investigation.
“Even when there are issues to clear, the final destination is the court of competent jurisdiction before any verdict can be passed on anyone. I find it ridiculous that whereas I had written a petition alerting the appropriate authorities of the financial malfeasances at Aso Savings and Loans, rather than take the necessary action against the company and the persons so identified, I am being maligned and my name being dragged to the mud for flimsy reasons.”
Aliyu said she was surprised that the Police that had shown unwillingness to commence investigation into her petition, were quick to allegedly issue a report concerning their previous investigation about her.
She said, “While thanking the Presidency for the opportunity of the nomination in the first place, I will pray that proper independent investigation be carried out by the Acting President to fathom out the real situation of things. That is the only way that proper justice would be seen to have been done. I will personally be happy to see that those who plundered Aso Savings and Loans are brought to book.”
