- Why charges against Fidelity Bank boss were dropped – AGF
Maryam Abacha, widow of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has rejected long-standing allegations that her late husband looted billions of dollars during his time in office, insisting there is no credible evidence to support the claims.
Speaking in an interview with TVC on Sunday, Mrs. Abacha challenged the narrative surrounding her husband’s legacy and questioned the basis of the accusations.
“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any money stashed abroad?” she asked.
She also claimed that funds her husband allegedly secured for Nigeria disappeared shortly after his death.
“And the monies that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, the monies vanished. People are not talking about that,” she said.
Mrs. Abacha criticised the continued focus on her husband nearly three decades after his death, questioning the motivations behind the scrutiny.
“Why are you blaming somebody? Is that tribalism or a religious problem or what is the problem with Nigerians? “Why are we so bad towards each other? Because somebody is a northerner or a southerner, somebody is a Muslim or a Christian… It’s not fair,” she said.
She also directed criticism at the media, urging journalists to play a more constructive role.
“People are not that bad. Twenty-seven years ago, and you are still talking about Abacha. He must be very powerful and loved by Nigerians. We thank God for that,” she said.
Responding to comments about Nigeria’s relatively stable economy during her husband’s rule, marked by increased foreign reserves and reduced external debt, Mrs. Abacha reiterated her position that there was no wrongdoing.
“So, where did he steal the money from? So where would he have stolen the money from?” she asked.
“And because Nigerians are fools, they listen to everything,” she added.
She concluded by calling for unity and mutual respect among Nigerians, saying, “Babangida doesn’t make Nigeria alone. Abacha does not make Nigeria alone. Abiola and everybody, nobody is big enough for Nigeria. Even the single man on the street is very important. We are all human beings, for goodness sake. All these wahala should stop.”
Why charges against Fidelity Bank boss were dropped – AGF
In a related development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has explained that the decision of his office to discontinue the criminal charge brought against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, is a testament to the commitment of his office to uphold justice and fairness.
The Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Publicity, Office of the AGF & Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, in a statement on Monday, stated that as the chief law officer of the federation, the AGF has the constitutional power to enter a nolle prosequi, discontinuing a prosecution where it is deemed necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
The statement read, “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to reactions trailing the discontinuation of the criminal charge against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc.
“The decision followed a careful review of the case, which did not connect Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe to the charge as she was neither the account officer nor the Managing Director of the Fidelity Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened,”
The statement further disclosed that the Attorney General’s decision is guided by the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, and his office has the confidence that the decision is in the best interest of justice and the public.
It noted that although the charges against the CEO have been dropped, the bank itself still has a case to answer.
“This decision does not excuse Fidelity Bank from the allegations contained in the charge, which is still pending before the court, but rather a demonstration of the Attorney General’s duty to ensure that justice is served.
“We urge the public to allow the legal process to run its course and to refrain from speculation or jumping to conclusions.
“The AGF will ensure that the best interest of Justice is served at all times and that all those found wanting, at any time, face the full weight of law to serve as a deterrent to others,” the statement added. kept for Nigeria ‘vanished’ after his death – Maryam Abacha
.Why charges against Fidelity Bank boss were dropped – AGF
Maryam Abacha, widow of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has rejected long-standing allegations that her late husband looted billions of dollars during his time in office, insisting there is no credible evidence to support the claims.
Speaking in an interview with TVC on Sunday, Mrs. Abacha challenged the narrative surrounding her husband’s legacy and questioned the basis of the accusations.
“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any money stashed abroad?” she asked.
She also claimed that funds her husband allegedly secured for Nigeria disappeared shortly after his death.
“And the monies that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, the monies vanished. People are not talking about that,” she said.
Mrs. Abacha criticised the continued focus on her husband nearly three decades after his death, questioning the motivations behind the scrutiny.
“Why are you blaming somebody? Is that tribalism or a religious problem or what is the problem with Nigerians? “Why are we so bad towards each other? Because somebody is a northerner or a southerner, somebody is a Muslim or a Christian… It’s not fair,” she said.
She also directed criticism at the media, urging journalists to play a more constructive role.
“People are not that bad. Twenty-seven years ago, and you are still talking about Abacha. He must be very powerful and loved by Nigerians. We thank God for that,” she said.
Responding to comments about Nigeria’s relatively stable economy during her husband’s rule, marked by increased foreign reserves and reduced external debt, Mrs. Abacha reiterated her position that there was no wrongdoing.
“So, where did he steal the money from? So where would he have stolen the money from?” she asked.
“And because Nigerians are fools, they listen to everything,” she added.
She concluded by calling for unity and mutual respect among Nigerians, saying, “Babangida doesn’t make Nigeria alone. Abacha does not make Nigeria alone. Abiola and everybody, nobody is big enough for Nigeria. Even the single man on the street is very important. We are all human beings, for goodness sake. All these wahala should stop.”
Why charges against Fidelity Bank boss were dropped – AGF
In a related development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has explained that the decision of his office to discontinue the criminal charge brought against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, is a testament to the commitment of his office to uphold justice and fairness.
The Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Publicity, Office of the AGF & Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, in a statement on Monday, stated that as the chief law officer of the federation, the AGF has the constitutional power to enter a nolle prosequi, discontinuing a prosecution where it is deemed necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
The statement read, “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to reactions trailing the discontinuation of the criminal charge against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc.
“The decision followed a careful review of the case, which did not connect Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe to the charge as she was neither the account officer nor the Managing Director of the Fidelity Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened,”
The statement further disclosed that the Attorney General’s decision is guided by the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, and his office has the confidence that the decision is in the best interest of justice and the public.
It noted that although the charges against the CEO have been dropped, the bank itself still has a case to answer.
“This decision does not excuse Fidelity Bank from the allegations contained in the charge, which is still pending before the court, but rather a demonstration of the Attorney General’s duty to ensure that justice is served.
“We urge the public to allow the legal process to run its course and to refrain from speculation or jumping to conclusions.
“The AGF will ensure that the best interest of Justice is served at all times and that all those found wanting, at any time, face the full weight of law to serve as a deterrent to others,” the statement added.