$43m Ikoyi cash: Prove to court that seized cash belongs to Rivers, Amaechi tells Wike

Wike, Amaechi

Minister of Transportation and immediate past Governor of Rivers State , Mr . Rotimi Amaechi, has again condemned his successor, Mr . Nyesom Wike over his claims that the over $43m found in an Ikoyi , Lagos State apartment by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission were stolen Rivers State funds kept in the apartment by him ( Amaechi ) .
Wike had claimed that the luxury Ikoyi apartment belongs to Amaechi, a claim which the former governor debunked and had challenged his accuser to provide evidence of his ownership of the money and the apartment .
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Sunday, Amaechi again took a swipe at Wike for his failure to go to court to prove his claims before a judge , alleging that Wike was running in Rivers State “ a government of lies , deceit, fraud and blood. ”
Amaechi also expressed support for the call by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka , who had advised that, in the fight against corruption, detractors who deliberately create distraction should be criminalised and prosecuted .
The statement said , “ Nigerians would recall that on the night of Friday, April 14, during his … press briefing , Wike had threatened the President Muhammadu Buhari administration … vowing the mother -of -all legal actions against the Federal Government if the over $43m was not given to him within seven days.
“ The seven - day ultimatum has long expired , yet no action , whether legal or otherwise by Wike to prove his … allegations and claim to the money .
“ Again, on Friday, May 6, another wonderful opportunity was open for Wike to prove his … allegations against Amaechi and claim the money, before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court , Lagos .
“ The Judge had on April 13, directed that anyone who owns the money should come forward to claim it. Neither Wike nor his lawyers were any where near the court . ”
Amaechi said that Wike ’ s “ failure to prove his allegations ” against him in a court of law or even in the court of public opinion clearly vindicated him “ and completely exonerates Amaechi of any link or connection to the Ikoyi money and apartment . ”