The Government of the United Kingdom has denied involvement in the allegation of financial looting levelled against a former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.
Naija News understands that the UK government was responding to a petition to the British Parliament by a group, Igbo for a Progressive Nigeria (IPAN), demanding details about the allegation.
Tom Tungendhat, a British Parliament member, made the allegation against Gowon on Monday, November 23 during the House deliberation on the aftermath of the EndSARS protest, and possible sanctions to be meted on top Nigerians regarding the roles they played in the killing of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
The parliamentarian said, “Now some people will remember when general Gowon left Nigeria, he took half of the Central Bank, so it is said, and moved to London.
“We know today, even now in this great city of ours, there are sadly some people who have taken the wealth of Nigerian people and hidden their ill-gotten gains here.”
Responding to IPAN’s petition, the UK said Tugendhat made the statement in his own personal capacity, and not for the British Parliament or the United Kingdom.
“Thank you for your email of 29 November to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office about the debate on Nigeria.
“I recognise there is concern about the comments made by Tom Tugendhat MP about former Nigerian Head of State, General Gowon, during the Westminster Hall debate on 23 November.
“I would like to clarify that Mr. Tugendhat was speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government.
“The High Commissioner has written to the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, as well as to General Gowon, to reiterate this point.”
source https://www.naijanews.com/2020/12/26/we-have-nothing-to-do-with-looting-allegations-levelled-against-gowon-uk/
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