Having received a copy of of the hidden Okigbo Report, which openly indicted former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, for corruption and embezzlement, the National Conscience Party has demaned that the government must now investigate the political Maradona for squandering $12billion Gulf War oil windfall in 1992.
It said an unidentified person dropped a parcel that contained the said report at its secretariat. The NCP is led by fiery human rights activist and Babangida's major opponent, Mr. Gani Fawehinmi.
The letter, signed by NCP’s National General Secretary, Mallam Yunusa Salisu, added that the party was forwarding a copy of the report to the President for necessary action.
The party further claimed that it browsed through the report and found out that Babaginda caused the Central Bank of Nigeria to open five accounts besides the Federation Account.
These accounts, according to the NCP, were: Dedication Account, NNPC Sales of Mining Rights Account, Stabilisation Account, Signature Bonus Account and GHQ Special Account.It alleged that the gross takings on the said accounts from their inception in 1988 to 1992 totalled $12.4billion, which the NCP claimed were held outside the country‘s external reserves.
The party also quoted the report as saying that only Babangida could authorise the operation of the accounts.
The NCP also alleged that the operation of the accounts was carried outside the budget and as such was not subject to the normal budgetary processes, and therefore lacked transparency.
The letter read in part, ”We believe that it was in a bid to cover up such unprecedented economic and financial crimes that copies of the report of the Okigbo Panel were removed from your prying eyes by unscrupulous elements.
”In view of the declaration of your administration, to take decisive action on the report of the Okigbo Panel whenever it is found, we are pleased to forward a copy to Your Excellency for your urgent attention and necessary action.
”Since Chief U. J. Ekaette, the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was a member of the Okigbo Panel, Your Excellency may wish, through him, to confirm the authenticity of the report as it was signed by him.”
