NSA Nuhu Ribadu denies calling Tinubu, Akume, Orji Kalu corrupt

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, has denied accusing President Bola Tinubu of corruption while he was Lagos State governor.

Ribadu also denied allegations of calling the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu corrupt while he was the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The NSA issued the denial in response to an allegation by the leader of Northern Star, Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad.

In a TikTok video, Muhammad accused the NSA of serving in Tinubu’s government despite castigating him while he was the chairman of the EFCC.

Condemning the allegations, the NSA described Muhammad’s claim as malicious, while demanding an apology and retraction within seven days.

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In a letter signed by his lawyer, Dr. Ahmed Raji, Ribadu stated that, publicly or privately, he never described Tinubu as corrupt.

The letter read: “Clearly, in the text of your recording, you stated that when our client served as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he allegedly named President Bola Tinubu, alongside Sen. George Akume and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (all former governors, and in that order), as the governors in Nigeria who stole the most from the public treasury.

“You also stated that today, our client, who once held the above odious view about President Tinubu, has turned around to be his staunchest defender, especially with regard to what you stated to be the government’s agenda to silence voices of dissent, citing the alleged arrest of a certain Prof. Usman Yusuf as an example.

“You also stated that our client’s alleged attitudinal change towards President Tinubu means that he has either become a liar or that he lied when he allegedly described President Tinubu, Senators Akume and Kalu, and other governors as thieves.

“Privately or publicly, our client has never expressed the above viewpoint about President Tinubu and/or Senators George Akume and Orji Uzor Kalu, which you attributed to him.”