Arms deal probe: I acted in Nigeria’s interest – Okonjo-Iweala

By Michael Eboh and Emmanuel Elebeke

 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The immediate past Minister of Finance , Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, reiterated her innocence in the ongoing probe on the multi-billion dollar arms deal, stating that in all her dealings, she strived to protect the interest of the country.

Okonjo-Iweala, in a  statement by her spokesperson, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, also alleged that unscrupulous and comprised individuals have distorted the contents of her memo to former president Goodluck Jonathan, seeking the transfer of $300 million and £5.5 million to the Office of the National Security Adviser, to portray her in bad light.

The statement reads: “ For the past week, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and other compromised persons and media have embarked on a campaign of falsehood against Dr Okonjo-Iweala. They have distorted the contents of the January 20 memo in which she responded to a request by the former National Security Adviser and quoted selectively from the document to make their false allegations of ‘illegal diversion’ of funds.

“For your information and a fuller understanding of the issues, please see the attached January  20 memo by Dr Okonjo-Iweala as published by some online sites. It confirms that Dr Okonjo-Iweala is a transparent person of integrity and patriotic professional who worked hard to protect the interest of the country and that her accusers are purveyors of falsehood on a political mission to tarnish an innocent patriot.”