by Azeez Adeniyi

Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ayodele Oke has admitted that his agency received the sum of $289,202,382 on the orders of former President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2015, Punch reports.

Oke reportedly disclosed this when he met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Oke was suspended over his agency’s role in the ownership of $50m discovered by the EFCC in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

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A source said the committee established to investigate the ownership claim has asked Oke to submit documents to back his claim.

It was learnt that the cash was an intervention fund for the fight against insurgency during the six weeks when the 2015 election was postponed.

The source said, “The DG of the NIA has met with Vice-President Osinbajo and will submit documents pertaining to the transaction.

“The DG admitted on record that the transaction was authorised by former President Jonathan and Col. Sambo Dasuki, and as such, was simply following orders from the commander-in-chief. He will submit memos and other documents as evidence.”

[Read Also: SUSPENDED NIA DG DID NOT CRY AT ASO ROCK – PRESIDENCY]

The source said Oke claimed the National Petroleum Investment Management Service on February 25 asked the CBN to release $289,202,382 to the NIA in cash.

He said Oke has also agreed to submit a memo where he informed the National Security Adviser, Babagana Moguno about the existence of the cash.

The source said, “The DG NIA informed top security people in the government of the existence of the cash.

“Specifically in January 2016, a letter was written by the DG NIA to the NSA, Babagana Moguno, on the existence of the cash. The memo exists and will also be submitted to the panel.”

He added, “One question the suspended NIA boss must answer when he meets with the panel is why the apartment used for an official matter was registered in his wife’s name.”