NPA says alleged secret account false, baseless

NPA says alleged secret account false, baseless

By Udeme Clement:

The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has denied operating any secret account in Unity Bank plc.

The Authority described the allegation by a whistle-blower of running such account as false and baseless.

The Spokesman of NPA,
Engr. Adams Jatto, said this in a press statement signed and made available to reporters.

According to him,
“The Authority is aware of media reports based on a petition by one Mr. John Okpurhe to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The petitioner accused the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), of allegedly refusing to reward him after exposing over $1billion supposedly hidden in an account with Unity Bank Plc, operated by NPA.

“The allegation that NPA operates such an account is false and misleading.”

He went on, “Mr Okpurhe, claiming to be a whistleblower cited an account number: 0013680344, allegedly being operated by NPA. The reality is that such account does not exist”.

His explanation: “The allegation that NPA operates an account in 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 is not true.

“ 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 determination of the case at the Supreme Court, the judgment creditors continued with the Garnishee process that 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.

“It is therefore obvious that there is no cloned account as speculated in the alleged whistle blowing effort of Mr. Okpurhe.

“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”.

He maintained that the allegation is not true.