Suspended NIA DG Opens Up: Jonathan ordered release of $289m

The suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ayodele Oke, has met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, where he admitted that his agency received the sum of $289,202,382 on the orders of former President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2015.

A top government source disclosed that the VP Osinbajo-led committee had directed Oke to submit documents to back his claim.

It was learnt that the suspended NIA boss had also gathered documents which would be formally submitted to the panel showing that the transaction was approved by Jonathan through the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

It said the transaction was known as an intervention fund for national security or special services with the aim of fighting insurgency during the 6 weeks between February 14 and March 28, when the Presidential/National Assembly elections were postponed.

However, operatives of the EFCC are said to be working on the theory that the money was meant for the prosecution of the 2015 general elections.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case, told Punch that, “The DG of the NIA has met with Vice-President Osinbajo and will submit documents pertaining to the transaction.

“The DG admitted on record that the transaction was authorised by former President Jonathan and Col. Sambo Dasuki, and as such, was simply following orders from the commander-in-chief. He will submit memos and other documents as evidence.”

Explaining how the transaction took place, the source said a memo was raised by the National Petroleum Investment Management Service (NAPIMS) on February 25, 2015, two weeks after the postponement of the presidential election for ‘security’ reasons, based on Dasuki’s advice.

According to the memo, NAPIMS asked the CBN to release $289,202,382 to the NIA in cash.

The money was received by the NIA and kept in a safe house.

Why President Muhammadu Buhari was not briefed on the existence of the cash? The source said, “The DG NIA informed top security people in the government of the existence of the cash.

“Specifically in January 2016, a letter was written by the DG NIA to the NSA, Babagana Moguno, on the existence of the cash. The memo exists and will also be submitted to the panel.”

It was gathered that one of the posers the NIA would solve was why the apartment, where the money was kept, was registered in the name of the wife of the DG, Mrs. Folasade Oke.

“One question the suspended NIA boss must answer when he meets with the panel is why the apartment used for an official matter was registered in his wife’s name.”

OluFamous.Com gathered that the money would have been shared secretly but it was huge and PDP men who knew about the cash are many and could expose it if they don't get their share.