$289m saga: Oke should repeat his allegation in Jonathan’s presence – Okogie

The Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, ​has reacted to the $289m suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke, ​claimed was approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan​ ​in February 2015​

Okogie ​said​ Oke ​should be made to repeat his allegation in presence ​of Jonathan​.

“The best way to catch a liar is to call the other party and say, ‘Let him say it before Jonathan.’ Jonathan is still alive; he is not dead. Then, bring him in and let him say it before him,” the cleric ​told Punch.​

He also expressed optimism over the report by the investigative panel headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo​.​

“From the performance of the Vice President, I think there will be something meaningful, if those working with him will publish what he asks them to publish,” Okogie said.

He, however, stated that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ​EFCC, has become a shadow of itself.

Okogie said ​recent events have made him lose all the respect ​he once had ​for the​ agency.​

He said, “In those days, I used to have respect for the EFCC. But now, as I speak, I have no respect for the EFCC. I’m sorry. I’m not a judge, but looking at its performances these days, there is very little to desire.

“So, these gentlemen (corruption suspects) are supposed to be the worst of the culprits?

​”​When they are interrogated, before one gets the answer one is looking for, one doesn’t even hear about them again. Are we not entitled to know what is going on from the beginning to the end?

“When they (EFCC) tell you what has happened, they only give you the bone; they don’t give you the flesh”​.