Senator Dino Melaye on Tuesday said the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah connived with MTN to smuggle $13.92 billion out of Nigeria between 2006 and 2016.

While speaking at the Senate plenary, Melaye also read out the names of other accomplices in the act.

“The senate notes with serious concern the repatriation of $13.92bn illegally out of Nigeria by Mobile Telecommunication Limited (MTN) through its‎ bankers between 2006 and 2016,” he said.

“Concerned that since inception, MTN had sought the collaboration of influential and unpatriotic Nigerians to assist them in looting our external reserves.

“Pained that these Nigerians, including a serving minister who MTN used in moving $13.92bn out of Nigeria, which is over 50 percent of our external reserves floated and incorporated offshore SPVs in Cayman Island, Mauritius and British Virgin Island.

“The minister of industry, trade and investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, owner of CELTELCOM Investment Limited with address at No 608, St James, Denis Street Port-Lewis Mauritius purportedly claimed to invest in MTN on February 7, 2008, got certificate of capital importation and filled form A on the same date, closed his investment in Nigeria after receiving dollar payment‎ for repatriation to New York same day.”

Melaye urged the senate to begin a comprehensive investigation on the allegations.