EFCC Goes After 100 Pro-Jonathan Groups Over N320m Stolen From CBN

The EFCC has uncovered a staggering N320 million stolen from the Central Bank of Nigeria and shared by about 100 pro-Jonathan groups.

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has traced N320 million to the account of the Goodluck Support Group, a collation of campaign groups, driving former President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for the 2015 presidential poll, Punch reports.

 

It was gathered that the group coordinated over 100 pro-Jonathan groups during the electioneering, was headed by Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali. The N320 million was gotten from an account of the Central Bank of Nigeria and was distributed to the group.

 

Speaking further, an EFCC source said the money emanated from the CBN’s account and went into the account of the Ministry of External Affairs Library, from where it was moved into the account of the Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited.

 

“It was from the Joint Dimension’s account with Zenith Bank that the money was shared to various individuals and organisations for purposes that are not stated,” the source said.

 

The JTDNL account was coordinated by the Director of Finance of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Nenadi Usman. Usman, a former minister, who the commission accused of collecting N36.9m through her Zenith Bank account no. 1000158311, is said to be in the United States. 

 

The EFCC are still investigating the matter. However, Punch revealed that the money was approved by the Presidency and that a memo was signed by the Permanent Secretary at the Villa, authorising that the money be paid by the CBN.