The former minister of Niger Delta affairs Godsday Orubebe has denied being involved in a N605 million fraud the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating.

In an interview with Vanguard, Orubebe said the money was not taken during his tenure and that it was mischievous for anyone to link him with it.

It would be recalled that Orubebe was interrogated by the ICPC in connection with an alleged N605 million fraud on Monday.

He said that he had already resigned from the ministry before the said money went missing.

“I have heard them mention my name as if the money was taken under my watch. The truth is that I had left office before the money was allegedly taken. It did not happen during my tenure and that is what Nigerians should find out,” he said.

He explained that it was in an attempt to clear his name that he responded to an invitation by ICPC, to state his side of the story.

“Yes, I went to the ICPC the other day to clear my name. I told them what I knew about the money said to have been stolen and made it clear to them that it did not happen under my watch,” he stressed.

The cash was allegedly withdrawn from the constituency project account of the ministry by five officials without authorisation, a development which prompted the ICPC to drag the suspects to court.

The ICPC has already filed charges against the five persons suspected about the fraud: Director of Finance and Account, Yusuf Agabi; Deputy Director of Finance, Akpore Okeroghene; Director of Finance, Abibu Ayinla , Deputy Director, Accounts, Idowu Adewale  and Deputy Director, Accounts, Ngozi James .

Janeth J