Former Minister of Aviation and senator (PDP – Anambra North), Stella Oduah, on Monday denied claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was investigating her for allegedly stashing nearly N2.5 billion in a bank account she set up using the identity of her maid.
Ms. Oduah, who said she received the reports while relaxing in her country home in Anambra State, challenged those who published the allegations to publish proofs that substantiate her guilt.
Ms. Oduah said the reports were “totally false, baseless and at best the imagination of the platform.”
In the statement, signed by Francisca Onyeisi, head of communications, Ms. Oduah said:
“Over the past few months, the once respected online platform, Sahara Reporters has continued to surpass itself by continuously sinking to an all-time low of posting uncorroborated reports to mislead Nigerians to promote the agenda of certain elements who’s fight against corruption can only been seen on pages of newspaper and pockets of their media spinners while millions of Nigerians remain unemployed and hundreds of thousands of kids go to bed hungry day in day out.
“The online platform claimed their sources in the EFCC said a whopping N5.6 billion must have been stolen, then went further to contradict itself that the agency had determined it was N3.6 billion then again reduced it to N2.5 billion in the same publication. The distinguish Senator laments the despicable low that Sahara Reporters has drawn the reputable profession of journalism too which unfortunately unsuspecting platforms will copy and paste on theirs without even lifting a pen to confirm the story”.
“Senator Stella Oduah, who is currently in her constituency thanked her supporters and well-wishers who have reached out to vent their frustrations at the unethical behavior of the tabloid assured (sic) them that there is nothing to worry about, restating that no such account exist and challenged Sahara reporters to present details of their funding and how the platform is able to afford a property in choice area of Maitama in Abuja”, the statement concluded.
