By Aliyu Askira
Kano
Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has for the umpteenth time, faulted the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke’s claim that no oil money missed under her watch.
Sanusi also accused Allison-Madueke of being economical with the truth on his failed bid for the African Development Bank top job.
The former minister, had in an interview with a London-based medium, The Boss magazine, insisted that the allegations levelled against her, including that on the alleged missing $20billion were baseless and meant to cast aspersion on her person.
“How can $20 billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable? “This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend, who should appreciate the gravity of such an allegation.
“I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money”, explained the embattled minister who is currently battling with cancer in London.
Countering Allison-Madueke yesterday in a statement in Kano, Emir Sanusi said, what is involved is not about friendship , but the nation’s treasury, arguing that anybody caught with his hand in the till must not go unpunished.
On his failed AfDB presidency bid, he said: “It is not something that is hidden that anybody who is seeking that job must get the support of his country. Knowing fully that I went to the President with my intention and before I made the exposure of the $20bn oil deal, Jonathan clearly indicated his support for me.
“He even directed Hassan Tukur, his Principal Private Secretary to write to African heads of state. So, what is Diezani saying? One can now see that she is lying.”
“My suspension came a week after I made the disclosure of the missing monies, precisely on February 20, 2014. As at that time, I was the only candidate from Nigeria gunning for the AfDB job, but you know one cannot have it when he is suspended.
“My passports were all confiscated. Jonathan, in trying to punish me, denied me of the job and replaced me with Akin Adesina, who is my personal friend.
“The question that remains for Diezani to answer is: Was there $6bn said to have been remitted to NPDC which they denied? As for that denial, who is holding that money? What happened to the inflated N6 per litre kerosene subsidy?
“Where is the money said to be paid to that effect? All these questions formed the basis upon which I was suspended and denied the AfDB job.
“Certainly, there is nothing personal. It is our nation’s money we are talking about. One cannot take away the treasury and expect to go scot-free. He must answer the basic questions.
“Everyone is aware that I was punished by former President Jonathan for exposing the missing $20bn.
“The punishment after suspending me from the CBN and taking away my passports was also blocking me from becoming the AfDB President, but Allah in His mercy today, has given me something much better than that.”
