Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Friday in Abuja denied reports in the social media alleging he made an attempt to withdraw money from his foreign accounts.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Anietie Ekong, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State said he did not own any foreign account contrary to reports that he tried to withdraw $7.2 billion from his foreign accounts in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The statement said: “The attention of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to a report circulated in the internet linking him with ownership of houses/mansions in Dubai.
“We state categorically that Senator Akpabio does not own any foreign account in any part of the world.
“If such account is found, the Federal Government of Nigeria should seize the money and investigate the origin of such account, and prosecute the owner.
“In addition, he does not own any property in Dubai or in any foreign country.
“Akpabio served his people diligently for eight years as the governor and the transformation of the State within this period, which has gained world acclaim, is there for all to see.”
The statement said two foreign groups, Wikileaks and The Global Peace Movement Group, UK, had in 2010 cleared Akpabio of having any foreign account, while he was governor.
It accused the opposition in Akwa Ibom of masterminding the reports of quest to withdraw money from his foreign account.
It added: “That some people out of political mischief should publish a purported attempt by the senator to withdraw through a CBN source a phantom sum of 7.2 billion dollars is ridiculous.
“It is the height of character assassination. We challenge these purveyors of falsehood to publish the full details of the purported $7.2 billion account.
“We urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to seize such sum and prosecute the owner if it does exist.”
