Alison-Madueke, has denied allegations of financial impropriety under
her tenure, especially the alleged disappearance of $20billion. Mrs.
Diezani, who is battling with cancer disclosed this in an interview
with The Boss newspaper.
She was visibly angry at the mention of the $20billion
"If there is one issue I must pursue in this world it is the biggest
lie of this money.
How can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear
to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable?
This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend
who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation. I challenge
anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or
public money. I've never stolen Nigeria's money…"
"Rather, I worked hard to halt the rampant business of round-tripping.
When I brought in Reginald Stanley to clean up the place, I requested
for a list of the defaulters. There were about 92 of them and I made
sure we sanctioned them. You can imagine the threat to my life but I
was ready to defend the economic interests of my country. In fact, we
were able to reduce the oil subsidy by about half. No one has
applauded our effort.
"There were those who said the then Governor of Central Bank must have
been angry at me because of the way the Presidency treated him. In all
honesty, he was being blocked from seeing the President by some of
Oga's people (presidential aides) but it had nothing to do with me. I
was the one who even told Oga about the development and Oga said he
would meet him in London on one of his trips.
Unfortunately my boss fell ill and was rushed to King Edward Hospital
and the meeting was aborted."
"Sanusi and I had been friends. There was no way I would have done
anything bad to him. He even came to my house to inform me about his
interest in heading the African Development Bank and we discussed for
about two hours. I promised to support him and I spoke to Oga about
it. We were together on the Reconciliation Committee that looked into
the accounts of NNPC. Yes there were gaps but not on the alarming
scale being circulated. Markafi (former Governor of Kaduna State) did
a thorough job. You know he is a very sound accountant."
What about the allegations that she owns choice properties everywhere?
"It is so sad that anyone could say such about me. Let me say
something to you, I live with my husband in the same house we've lived
since we married in 1999. Ask anyone who knows us. Our house in Abuja
was bought in 2007 by my husband and as an architect and lover of
interior décor I did it up to our own taste. It is not over the top
because I have good taste and appreciate bargains. I shop in regular
shops like B & Q to do up all the places where I live. Anyone who
tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them.
That was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I
went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except
in picture. The house I stay in London is rented. As a woman I love to
look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me
by those I buy from and I pay them when I can"
-Vanguard
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