The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has denied collecting N25 billion from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.
On Monday, January 11, 2021, a newspaper report had alleged that Mr Akpabio offered N25 billion bribe to the AGF over the appointment of Effiong Akwa as the Sole Administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
But the AGF, in a statement on Friday by his spokesman, Dr. Umar Jibrilu-Gwandu, denied the allegation, saying that the report was marred by “evincing contradictions, figment of imagination, sheer fabrications and filthy assumptions of mischief makers and detractors”.
While calling on Nigerians to disregard the information, Mr Malami, therefore, urged individuals who have any information on the alleged offer and purported acceptance of gratification for him or his office to come out publicly with the information.
The statement said: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has been drawn to fictitious and malicious publications alleged by mischief makers claiming that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godswill Akpabio offered him gratification in respect of the appointment of a Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“The report, as any fake news, was marred by evincing contradictions, figment of imagination, sheer fabrications and filthy assumptions of mischief makers and detractors.
“Any discerning mind who read the story will not fail to note the desperate attempt to cast aspersion on the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and dent his hard earned reputation with unsubstantiated allegations spread by perfidious elements.
“The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN hereby make an outright denial of the report in its entirety.
“The Minister has not collected and does not intend at any time to receive any gratification from any dealing and discharging any function he is constitutionally empowered to perform.
“While calling on Nigerians to disregard the information Malami, therefore, asked individuals who have any information, if any, regarding those who facilitated, accepted, deliver or take part in one way or the other in the alleged offer and purported acceptance of gratification for him or his office to come out publicly with the information with a view to exposing them and taking further necessary action.
“Malami stated further that gratification is a criminal offence. He, accordingly, encouraged the purveyors of the fictitious publication to approach relevant security and law enforcement agencies and proffer information that could lead to the criminal investigation and investigation against him if they feel strongly about their purported claim.”