Adamu Mu’azu, has denied knowledge of the huge cash found at a property owned by him

Former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu, has denied knowledge of the huge cash found at a property owned by him in Ikoyi, Lagos.

On Wednesday, April 12, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) discovered $43.4 million, £27,800 and N23.2 million cash in the controversial house.

Mu'azu initially denied ownership of the house but later admitted the property belongs to him. He, however, said all the flats in the Osbourne tower have been sold out.

In a statement posted on his pages on Twitter and Facebook on Thursday, April 13, the ex-PDP chief said the flats were sold out through estate agents, adding that he had no personal contact with any of the buyers.

According to him, he acquired bank loans to build the house.

He said: "My attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds that I own the building on No.16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. I want to state clearly that I built the said property and sold to prospective buyers of individual flats.

"I have been a property developer since 1983 and I have developed and sold several properties all over the world, the property in question happens to be one of them. I acquired the land and jointly develop it using a bank loan, I obtained about nine (9) years ago.

"However all the flats have been sold to prospective buyers inorder to pay back the loan. I do not own or occupy any of the apartments. I sold all the apartments through established estate agents as such I have no knowledge or interest in who purchases or rents any of the flats."

Mu’azu, who also served as the governor of Bauchi state from 1999 to 2007, commended the EFCC for its frantic efforts in the anti-corruption war, hoping that the real owner of the apartment where the cash was found would be revealed.

"I commend the efforts of the official of the EFCC and the government’s drive at fighting corruption and also the media in informing the public on illicit and corrupt proceeds," he said.

"My response is not intended to jeopardise or interfere with the ongoing investigation of the anti graft and security agencies but to clear the misconception that the house in question belongs to me.

"I strongly believe that the efforts being made will surely unveil the real owner of such flat and the monies recovered."

A sacked Managing Director, Operations at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, was also reported as the owner of the monies, but she has since denied the claim, saying she was as shocked about the discovery as other Nigerians.

However, in a ruling on Thursday, April 13, Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of the recovered funds.