Senator representing Delta North Ned Nwoko has denied allegations of improper collaboration with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi in relation to the Paris Club refund matter.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by his media team, Senator Nwoko said the reports were incorrect and had been addressed by relevant authorities over time.
“The attention of Senator Ned Nwoko has been drawn to another willful and malicious publication alleging fresh claims relating to the Paris Club refund matters,” the statement read.
“The publication is false, misleading, and a distortion of facts that have been consistently examined by relevant authorities.”
He said four investigations were carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including one under the current administration.
“Four separate investigations have been conducted by the EFCC on the matter, including a recent review ordered under the current administration. All reached the same conclusion: that the contractual work was duly executed, while outstanding balances remain due under established agreements,” he said.
Nwoko said the findings were backed by records from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“These findings are also supported by official records within the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria, where all federal payments are processed, documented, and subject to audit,” he said.
He dismissed allegations linking him to any improper collaboration with AGF Fagbemi.
“Allegations linking the Senator to any improper collaboration with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, are entirely unfounded and malicious,” the statement said.
He also said he was aware of what he described as a coordinated misinformation effort.
“The Senator noted that some of these narratives are being actively circulated by individuals including George Uboh and Omoyele Sowore, whom he believes are driving a sustained misinformation campaign for personal or political purposes,” it added.
Nwoko said he had taken legal steps over what he described as defamatory publications involving the individuals.
“For the avoidance of doubt and for clarity, we state unequivocally that there is no ‘fresh claim’ and that at no time was $350m paid to Ned Nwoko or his company. He remains committed to due process, transparency, and the rule of law,” the statement added.
