Police, Ministry Deny Receiving Sanusi’s N19.7 Billion CBN Grant

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar and the Ministry of
Police Affairs have both denied ever receiving a N19.7 Billion from
suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi
Lamido Sanusi for Police Equipment.

Sanusi in his defense of the allegation of financial recklessness leveled
against him by the Financial Reporting Council, FRC, had said N19.7
Billion was released to the Ministry of Police Affairs for the purchase of
a Helicopter and other security equipment for the Police.

According to Sanusi in his defense, “consistent with our policy of
development, upon the instruction of His Excellency, the President, the
CBN intervened by paying N19.7bn to the Ministry of Police Affairs for the
purchase of armoured helicopters and other security equipment.”

But appearing before the House Committee on Public Accounts, the Police
denied ever receiving such amount. The Police Affairs Ministry had earlier
denied receiving the N19.7 Billion.

Represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Air Wing, Mr.
Illesanmi Aguda, The IG said, the Police have “no knowledge” of any N19.7
Billion from the CBN through Sanusi.

The Police boss referred the House Committee to the Police Ministry but
the Chairman of the Committee; Mr. Adeola Olamilekan, said the Ministry
had already denied knowledge of any money from the CBN.

“If the IGP and the police ministry deny receipt of the said N19.7bn, then
the committee can rightly assume that the money is missing, until proven
otherwise.

“All the major actors involved in the alleged transaction including the
CBN have a case to answer.”

The Committee said it would invite the suspended CBN Governor and would
also want to meet the IG in person to ascertain the whereabouts of the
N19.7 Billion