by Alabi Usman
The details on the reason why Abati and Mohammed were being arrested by the anti-graft agency though sketchy initially are becoming clearer.
The EFCC posted on its twitter handle yesterday that “Former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, 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.”
Report has it that Abati admitted to receiving N50 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Sambo Dasuki. He reportedly told investigators that the money was spent on media relations which had to do with his work as a media adviser to the ex President, there are also claims that he said the money was distributed as Christmas and Sallah gifts to journalists. When asked for documents of how the money was spent, he reportedly said such details are not documented.
Bala Mohammed on his part was arrested to explain his role in the alleged mismanagement of the resources of the FCT while he held sway.
He was arrested for alleged land racketeering. Sources within the EFCC said the agency was acting on petitions from the public about how he allegedly sold government lands to some people and collected payment in cash.
According to the EFCC “The former minister is still giving very useful information regarding his role as the man in charge of the resources of the Federal Capital Territory in the last dispensation”