Police Deny Receipt Of N19.7bn From Sanusi For Helicopter

its takes discipline to be distinguish By: omoniyi tosin stephe

As House summons Police Minister, IGP, CBN SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, (THEWILL) - The Nigeria Police has denied receiving the sum of N19.

7 billion allegedly paid to the Police by the suspended Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi , to purchase a helicopter and other equipment for the Police.

Consequently, the House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Police Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the acting Governor of Central Bank, Mrs.

Sarah Alade, to appear before it next Tuesday.
The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, made this known when he appeared before the House of Representatives Public Account Committee (PAC) probing the activities of the Police Equipment Fund on Tuesday.

Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Air Wing, Ilesanmi Aguda, who represented the IGP denied that he had "no knowledge" of the alleged payment from the CBN and instead advised the Committee to direct queries on the whereabouts of the Police Equipment Fund to the Ministry of Police Affairs.

In his reaction, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon.

Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, declared that "If the IGP and the Police Ministry deny receipt of the said N19.

7 billion, then the Committee can rightly assume that the money is missing, until proven otherwise.

All the major actors involved in the alleged transaction, including the CBN have a case to answer.

' The Committee thereafter resolved to summon the CBN Governor, IGP and the Police Affairs Minister to appear before it to explain the whereabouts of the "missing" Police Equipment Fund.

It will be recalled that Sanusi had in a written response to government's allegation of financial recklessness against him stated that the police project, which also involved buying other security equipment, cost N19.

7 billion, and that it was carried out 'upon the instruction' of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated that 'Consistent with our policy of development, upon the instruction of His Excellency, the President, the CBN intervened by paying N19.

7 billion to the Ministry of Police Affairs for the purchase of armoured helicopters and other security equipment.

' SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA