The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alh. Abubakar Atiku, has dismissed allegation of fraudulently receiving N156m slush fund the federal government levelled against him.
The government in an interview Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed granted, accused Atiku of complicity in the collapse of Bank PHB (Platinum Habib Bank), saying the former VP was a beneficiary of N156m slush fund from the bank.
“We have evidence here of the account mandate, the name of Atiku Abubakar; we also have a copy of the cheque in which the sum of N156m was issued to Atiku Abubakar, dated January 13, 2009.
“And of course, we also have a statement of account within that period that confirms that this sum was actually paid into his account.
“These are fresh evidence as to his involvement in the collapse of Bank PHB. So, we want him to stay as long as he wants in the US, but as soon as he comes back, he has to explain to the electorate and to Nigerians what his role was in the collapse of the former Bank PHB,” Mohammed said.
However, the minister’s allegation has been met with derision and dismissal by the accused.
Reacting, Atiku said, “They just suddenly woke up to the reality that their lies about Atiku being corrupt can no longer hold?
“I challenge the Federal Government to come up with evidence that I benefitted from N156m slush funds through Claremont Management Services Account on 13th January, 2009 as well as the collapse of Bank PHB as they have alleged.
“It is instructive to note that the same Bank PHB is now Keystone Bank, which was said to have been acquired by Buhari’s cronies through AMCON last year.”
