CHIDI OKOH

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied a media report that a petition on alleged corruption against him and Scott Tommey, has been received by the UK Fraud Office.

Akpabio said the allegation is a figment of the imagination of the purveyors.

A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Jackson Udom, called on the public to disregard the story and see it as a calculated attempt to tarnish his image.

Akpabio said he had no front for money laundering and for contracts at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He said: “First and foremost, it is important to state as a preliminary point that Senator Godswill Akpabio is not aware of the pendency of any petition/investigation against him at the United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office.

“Howbeit, it is safe to say that the purported petition, investigation merely exist as a figment of imagination in the minds of the blackmail merchant(s).

“For the records, Senator Akpabio does not own any foreign account or business in the United Kingdom. He has no investment through a proxy. The centrality of his political life or career has been pro publico bono (for public good). He has made huge sacrifices as a consummate politician to better the lot of many who have come in contact with him.

“The former Senate Minority Leader knows Scott Ikot Tommey as a businessman, just as he knows a host of other businessmen and contractors with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“Senator Akpabio supervises the NDDC and has worked tirelessly to make a mark in the past few years as the supervisory Minister over the Commission.

“At the risk of repetition, it is categorically denied herein that Scott Tommey is and has been a business front for money laundering on behalf of Senator Akpabio. Scott Tommey’s contractual engagements with the NDDC predates Senator Akpabio’s appointment as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“It is therefore manifestly evident that the publishers of Pointblank news cannot attest to the veracity of this spuriously fabricated blackmail which offends the ethos of modern journalism.

“We challenge the authors of this blackmail to publish and substantiate such claims and documents which they allege link(s) the honourable minister to money laundering.

“The general public should discountenance the said publication and the publisher(s) of this infantile and unverifiable defamatory publication. They must, within seven clear days, retract the said publication with an apology or face the wrath of the law on criminal defamation”.

TheStar