Christmas may have started a bit early for the Ikoyi whistleblower, as the Federal Government has made a part payment of his finders fee . Lawyer to the whistleblower, Yakubu Galadima confirmed this in an interview
“My client confirmed to me that he had received a credit alert from the Federal Government. He has been paid the first instalment but there were many tax deductions. Yes, we are happy. I will give you more details later but I can confirm now that he has received some money”
Galadima also disclosed that his client had left the country.
Prior to this
There had been a back and forth argument between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and lawyer to the whistle blower as to his actual payment. EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu on the sidelines of a conference confirmed that the whistleblower had been paid. Magu later recanted the statement.
Galadima, denied his client had been paid as he had been footing his expenses. He also threatened to sue the Federal Government on his behalf. Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun then doused the furore with a statement that his payment was being processed.
Why is he being paid ?
The Federal Governemnt had introduced a whistleblowing law whereby individuals that provide information leading to the recovery of stolen funds, get a percentage of the sum.
The EFCC had in April 2017, stormed an apartment on Osborne road, Ikoyi where $43 million, N23.2 million and £27,800 ) was recovered. Investigations revealed that the apartment belonged to the Mrs Folashade Oke, wife of Ambassador Oke Director Genera (DG)l of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA). The NIA then claimed the funds recovered where for a covert operation.
The DG was later suspended and then sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari acting on the recommendations of a committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo to investigate the affair.