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Nigeria: Ex-president's spokesman arrested over Boko Haram funds

Nigeria: Ex-president's spokesman arrested over Boko Haram funds

Nigeria

Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed holding a former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, over alleged mismanagement of funds through his office.

‘‘Dr. Reuben Abati, yesterday, Monday, October 24, 2016 honoured an invitation by the EFCC at the agency’s Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. He is presently telling operatives of the Commission his role in the alleged mismanagement of the nation’s resources through his office,’‘ the EFCC disclosed on their official facebook page.

Abati, was a Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Media. “We have arrested Reuben Abati and he is undergoing interrogation in connection with some issues bordering on graft,” EFCC’s spokesman Wilson Uwuajaren also told the AFP news agency.

Local media portals however report that Abati is “being questioned in relation to [an] ongoing investigation into the misappropriation of funds earmarked for arms to fight Boko Haram.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a probe into allegations that funds meant for the fight against Boko Haram. The former national security chief, Sambo Dasuki has been in detention since arrest early this year.

Olisah Metuh, a spokesperson for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been held since July over appropriation of the same funds meant to fight insurgency in the northeast.

The EFCC in May interrogated the spokesman of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation for hours. They inisited that Femi Fani Kayode returns the N840 million ($4.2 million) he allegedly received for running the failed second term presidential election of Jonathan last year.

Nigeria’s opposition has continually accused Buhari of undertaking political witch hunt against his political opponents. Buhari came to power in 2015 with the promise to fight insurgency, corruption and to get the economy back on track.

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