Alleged 9.9bn Fraud: Ambode speaks up

• Says my record is clear, stop attacks on my ‘well-earned reputation’

Former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has denied claims that he is involved in an alleged N9.9 billion fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to him, none of his accounts contains the alleged sum and neither was any of his accounts frozen by the EFCC. He insisted his record was clean.

Ambode who revealed that much in a statement issued by his media aide, Habib Aruna, said the accounts frozen by the Federal High Court belong to the Lagos State Government and not him or any individual.

He also added that he did not want to join issues with the EFCC, but stated that he just wanted to clear his name. He also noted that the anti-graft agency had not had any communication with him over the alleged money.

He said, “Those accounts were opened in the course of normal operations by the Lagos State Government for its administrative purposes and not for the former governor’s personal transactions as was being wrongly insinuated and have been operated to ensure smooth operations of government activities by previous and present administrations.

“The former governor was not and will never be involved in any unauthorized use of government property and resources.

“We strongly believe that after four demanding years as Chief Executive of Lagos State, Mr. Ambode is entitled to some deserved rest with his family and loved ones without the unwarranted attacks on his well-earned reputation.”