naijaXclusive: David mark

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The Senate on Thursday began an inquest 
into the alleged mismanagement of over $27m proceeds from the sale of 
Federal Government properties by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in 
the United States of America.</div>
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This follows a petition to the President
 of the Senate, David Mark, by a non-governmental organisation, 
Transform Nigeria Movement, praying the Senate to conduct an 
investigation and make its findings known to the public.</div>
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The petition, which was signed by Mr. 
Daniel Elombah, stated that between 2004 and 2007, the Nigerian Embassy 
sold four prime properties of the Federal Government located in 
Washington DC and Maryland.</div>
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The petitioner alleged that the embassy 
also commenced the sale of other properties in San Francisco, California
 within the period.</div>
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Elombah stated in the petition, “Out of 
those sales, Nigeria realised the sum of approximately $27m. All funds 
realised from these sales, except those set aside as fees, were remitted
 to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington DC.</div>
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“As of June 2007, when the law firm that
 advised the embassy on the sale of the properties met with embassy 
officials at the embassy premises in Washington, all these funds and 
transactions were duly confirmed.”</div>
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The petitioner also alleged that it was 
confirmed that the embassy placed the funds in a special account with 
the M & T Bank in Washington DC and remained in that position after 
Ambassador George Obiozor had returned to Nigeria after completing his 
service in Washington.</div>
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TNM further alleged, “Surprisingly, the 
Embassy of Nigeria left the money in Washington partly because it 
yielded substantial monthly interests, which the embassy officials would
 never have to account for.</div>
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“Those funds remained in those accounts 
throughout the tenure of Ambassador Oluwole Rotimi; then arrived 
Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye in Washington. When Adefuye got to 
Washington, those funds were still lodged in the M & T Bank account 
intact.</div>
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“Between the time Adefuye became the 
ambassador until March of 2012, the millions in the accounts 
mysteriously disappeared. This became clear when M&T Bank was forced
 to close the accounts of the Nigerian Embassy and to terminate all 
banking relations with the embassy at the beginning of 2012.”</div>
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The petition had a cover note by the 
Chief of Staff to the President of the Senate, Anthony Manzo, urging the
 Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to treat it.</div>
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Upon the receipt of the petition, the 
committee summoned Obiozor; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the 
United Nations, Ambassador Joy Ogwu; and Adefuye.</div>
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The Chairman of the committee, Senator 
Matthew Nwagwu, while addressing the ambassadors on the purpose of the 
investigation, said it was to unravel the mystery surrounding the 
management of the funds.</div>
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He said, “We have invited you because of
 an allegation of embezzlement in our mission in Washington, 
particularly the sale of property in the US. It was alleged that the 
proceeds of the sales have been squandered by certain officials.</div>
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“Our job here is to give you a chance to
 address the committee and tell us what you know about the property 
sale, management and administration of the accounts, while you were in 
office. The committee has got a petition and we are not taking it on its
 face value; we want to give the ambassadors opportunities to explain 
their own roles.</div>
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“We are not a court of law, we are not 
going on a trial, we are doing this for posterity and to keep the 
records straight, and I am sure most of you will be happy that we have 
invited you to have the opportunity to clarify the matter.”</div>
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The committee decided that it would 
conduct the investigative hearing behind closed doors, taking the 
ambassadors separately and promised to brief the press on its findings 
after the hearing.</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/27m-missing-in-nigerian-embassy-in-us/" target="_blank">Punch</a> </div>

Xclusive: $27M Missing In Nigerian Embassy In US

The Senate on Thursday began an inquest into the alleged mismanagement of over $27m proceeds from the sale of Federal Government proper...