Delta denies N3bn bribe for Obasanjo, tribunal

Posted by admin Delta, Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-79, 99-07), Presidency, State News, Top Stories Monday, August 8th, 2011

Delta State Government has denied offering N3bn bribe to Electoral Petitions Tribunal judges and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to secure a favourable verdict for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

An online news portal, Saharareporters, had reported that the state offered the huge sum to “buy the judgment” of the tribunal in the suit by the state Democratic People Party governorship candidate, Mr. Great Ogboru, challenging the declaration of Uduaghan as the winner of the April election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The denial was contained in a statement by Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, on Monday.

The commissioner explained that the money described as bribe was an equity contribution of the state to a firm it operates in collaboration with Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited.

He said, “Delta State has a memorandum of Understanding with Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited to constitute a company called OFN- Delta Farm Limited with the initial farm site located at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government.”

Ogeah said the Delta State Executive Council had approved 200 hectares of land and N778.6m payment as one third equity in the company.

“Delta State has one-third equity in the company while Obasanjo Farms holds the balance two-third equity contribution.”

He explained that the money was paid with an Oceanic Bank cheque dated 30 June, 2011 for N2bn.

Ogeah added that Oceanic Bank was directed to place the sum of N2bn on July 7 and also “to liquidate the said sum into the Federal Account Allocation Committee.”

He added, “The Governor could have offered a bribe in June 2010, if he had powers to forsee the annulment of his election, the rerun and the litigation.” He described the allegation as baseless, adding that Uduaghan remained focused and undistracted in delivering his promise.

-Punchwp_posts