EHIME ALEX, Lagos
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has refuted reports claiming that he received a sum of N4 billion from sacked acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abraham Magu.
A series of tweets and online news publications accredited to one Jackson Ude claimed that the embattled former EFCC chairman embezzled over N39 billion and gave N4 billion to vice president Osinabjo after the VP instructed Magu to release some of the recovered loots.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the media aide to the vice president, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo described the reports as false and baseless fabrications purported to undermine his good reputation.
The statement reads in full:
The attention of the Office of the Vice President has been drawn to a series of tweets and online publications by PointBlank News and Newsreel.com.ng today 8th July 2020, credited to the same person, one Jackson Ude.
In essence, Ude’s story is that “embattled former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, allegedly embezzled over N39 billion and gave Vice President Yemi Osinabjo (sic) N4 billion, after the VP gave instructions to him to release some of the recovered loots…” The same Jackson Ude has also been circulating a video on YouTube with a female commentator, peddling the same lies.
With all emphasis at our disposal, let it be firmly stated that these are totally false and baseless fabrications purporting to reflect goings-on at the Probe Panel investigating Mr. Ibrahim Magu. They are indeed completely absurd in every respect.
Sadly, such mindless, vicious and reckless publications have now become the preferred tool of unscrupulous and reprobate elements in our society who are procured with monetary inducement to peddle blatant falsehood, tarnish the image of upright public officials and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will of course not be distracted by these obvious campaigns of lies and calumny. The online publications, being criminally defamatory in nature, have been referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation and necessary action.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.