PORT HARCOURT – Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the the $43 million recovered from a luxury apartment at Ikoyi, Lagos state belongs to the Rivers state government.
Consequently, he has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to return the money to Rivers Coffers.
Wike posited that the money was a stolen proceed from the sale of gas turbines by the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Prompt News recalls that EFCC operatives during the week stormed a Flat in the luxury apartment and recovered the $43 million following a tip-off by a Whistleblower.
Wike told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday night, “The money in question belongs to the former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“We want to confirm that the houses in Ikoyi also belong to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“If you recollect in 2015, we said that gas turbines built by former Governor Peter Odili were sold to Sahara Energy, business partners of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at $319 million.
“That money was used to sponsor the All Progressives Congress for the 2015 general elections.
“From the date of sale of the gas turbines to May 29, 2015, the money depleted from $319 million to $204,000. What was stashed at the Ikoyi residence was part of that fund.
“We have facts to prove that the said money belongs to the Rivers State Government. The Federal Government must return our money.
“As I speak to you, the Federal Government is so embarrassed that this has happened.
“All the stories that the money belongs to the NIA are fake,” saying “on no account would this criminal activity be swept under the carpet.
“We are giving them seven days to return our money. Otherwise, we would take legal action to recover our money.
“$43 million will help us complete several projects. We need that money for projects.”
