The Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) on Monday debunked the claim by a whistle-blower, John Okupurhe, that it has a hidden account operated at Unity Bank, which the whistle blower had claimed had a balance of $1bn in violation of the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account policy.
Recall that Okupurhe had demanded payment of commission on the allegedly exposed money from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in line with the Federal Government’s whistle-blowing policy.
On Monday, a coalition of civil society organisations in the South-South threatened to sue the Federal Government over the refusal to pay Okupurhe his commission for exposing the alleged secret bank account with $1bn balance.
The civil society organisations, under the auspices of South-South Anti-Corruption Watchdog, on Monday in Benin City, Edo State, vowed to expose those behind the $1bn and ensure that Okupurhe was paid his commission.
The National Coordinator of SACW, Kokori Edjegba, said on Monday it was shocking that aides of the President were making a mockery of his administration’s anti-corruption fight.
Edjegba said government’s attitude would prevent others from coming forward with authentic information about stolen cash or exposing corruption in public service.
He added that it was wrong for the AGF’s office to have allowed the issue to get to the public because Okupurhe might be exposed to unnecessary danger.
But reacting to Okupurhe’s claim, the office of the AGF said in a statement that government only pays whistle-blowers, whose information lead to successful recovery of illicit funds and not for mere tracing or exposure of suspected illegitimate funds.
But reacting to the allegation, in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications; Mr Jatto Adams, the NPA said it was aware of the media reports that the allegation have received.
The NPA, acknowledged the petitioner accused the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN)of allegedly refusing to reward him after exposing over $1bn supposedly hidden in an account with Unity Bank Plc and allegedly operated by the agency.
According to the NPA, “allegations that it operates such an account is untrue.”
Part of the statement reads: “Mr. Okpurhe, claiming to be a whistleblower cited an account number: 0013680344 allegedly being operated by NPA but this account does not exist as evidenced by a letter from Unity Bank Plc.
“The NPA operates an account with Unity Bank Plc with account number: 0013670344 with a total sum of $1,057,772.03 (One Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Two Dollars, Three Cents) as of December 4, 2019 and not $1,034,515,000.00(One Billion, Thirty-Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand United State Dollars) as alleged by the petitioner.
“However, the NPA account has not been in operation since August 27, 2010 due to a Suit No: FHC/L/CS/582/2010 GARNISHEE ORDER NISI in AMINU IBRAHIM & CO & ANOR. VS. NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY where a garnishee order was placed on it following a case, which went from the Federal High Court to the Supreme Court over a period of eight years.
Upon the determination of the case at the Supreme Court, the judgment creditors continued with the Garnishee process which resulted in the credit of the amount $1,057,772.03 (One Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Two Dollars, “Three Cents) in favour of Suit No: FHC/L/CS/582/2010 GARNISHEE ORDER NISI- AMINU IBRAHIM & CO & ANOR. VS. NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY on December 4th 2019 in line with the Garnishee Order absolute”.
Going by the above explanation, NPA said: “It is therefore obvious that there is no cloned account as speculated in the alleged whistle blowing effort of Mr. Okpurhe. “
According to the NPA, “the account under discussion was frozen on the strength of a court order in August 2010, following the completion of the case, the money was consequently transferred to the judgment creditor on December 4, 2019 in line with the Garnishee Order Absolute.”
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