Senator Nwoko Refutes New Claims Regarding Paris Club Payment
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the 10th National Assembly, has vehemently denied recent allegations concerning the controversial Paris Club refunds. He described the claims from an online platform as “false, misleading, and malicious.”
In a statement issued by his media team in Abuja, Nwoko dismissed new financial demands linked to the longstanding Paris Club consultancy agreement, asserting that the matter has already been thoroughly investigated and resolved by the appropriate authorities.
He emphasized that multiple inquiries—conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including one under the current administration—have consistently exonerated him from any misconduct. Nwoko highlighted that at least four separate investigations by EFCC scrutinized the consultancy contracts associated with the Paris Club refunds and reached a consensus that contractual obligations had been met and that any outstanding balances are valid within the existing agreements.
Nwoko described the repetitive allegations as a distortion of established facts, arguing that certain individuals and media outlets are intentionally orchestrating a campaign to undermine his reputation. “This publication misrepresents the facts that have been rigorously investigated by officials,” he stated.
He further clarified that official records from key government entities, including the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), endorse the legitimacy of the transactions in question. “The findings are corroborated by documented records within the Federal Ministry of Finance and the CBN, where all federal payments are processed and subject to audits,” the statement emphasized.
Nwoko also addressed allegations regarding an inappropriate relationship with the Federation’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, branding such claims as “totally baseless and malicious.” He accused individuals such as George Uboh and Omoyele Sowore of perpetuating a misinformation campaign, alleging that their motives are rooted in personal or political interests.
The senator disclosed that he has already initiated legal action against media outlets he believes have engaged in criminally defamatory reporting. He firmly reiterated that he has never received the alleged $350 million, either personally or via companies associated with him. “For clarity, there are no new claims, and the $350 million was never paid to me or my firms,” he asserted.
Nwoko urged the public to disregard unverified reports and instead rely on official documentation and agency findings, insisting that due process was adhered to throughout the transaction process. He reaffirmed his dedication to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, expressing confidence that the truth will ultimately prevail over what he refers to as orchestrated falsehoods.
The Paris Club refunds have long been a subject of public discourse, involving payments to consultants engaged by state governments to recover excess deductions and claims made by the federal government and foreign creditors. Despite numerous investigations and official clarifications, the ongoing controversy underscores the persistent challenges surrounding this contentious issue.
