Nigerians Defend Gowon Over Fraud Allegations By A UK Lawmaker

Prominent Nigerians like Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Femi Fani-Kayode, Former Aviation Minister have all reacted to the allegations by a UK lawmaker on Yakubu Gowon.

Tom Tugendhat, a member of the United Kingdom parliament, while debating on how to sanction Nigerian leaders who were involved in the killings of innocent Nigerians during the End SARS protest alleged that the Former Military Head of state looted half of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Some people will remember when General Gowon left Nigeria with half of the Central Bank, so it is said, and moved to London,” he said.

In reaction to the remark, Gowon told BBC: “I don’t know where he got that rubbish from, I served Nigeria diligently and my records are there for all to see”.

“What the MP said was just mere ridicule and I don’t know as to where he cooked up such statement. I served Nigeria as much as I could and my achievements during those years are available to everyone.Advertisement

“I don’t want to talk over the matter since those who know me very well say that the MP’s statement is nothing but a mere fallacy”.

Gowon was Nigeria’s military head of state from 1966 to 1975, including during the time of the oil boom.