The anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the sum of N27bn, which formed part of the proceeds of the sale of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, was shared among past top government officials in 2014 during the administration of former president Jonathan.

The EFCC disclosed this in a court paper filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 5, 2017.

The total sum of N27,188,232,208.20, allegedly looted by the named officials was said to be meant for the settlement of the insurance premiums for disengaged members of staff of PHCN.

Among the top government officials, named in the alleged scam, were the then Chief of Staff to the then President Goodluck Jonathan, Brig. Gen. Jones Arogbofa (retd.); the then Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla; and the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali.

When contacted on the EFCC’s allegations against Dr. Godknows Igali as touching the N27bn allegedly shared proceeds, Igali, who was the former permanent secretary of the power ministry, told one of our correspondents that he was not aware of the case.

Igali, who claimed to be ignorant of the matter, requested to know when the court paper was filed.

When told that the paper was filed on December 5, 2017, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, he replied, “I don’t know anything about that.”

Attempts to speak with the former DG of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Filling, proved abortive as calls to his mobile rang out.

He had yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile line as of the time of going to press.

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