One time Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology, Senator Grace Folasade Bent has washed her hands off the ongoing probe of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over alleged N23 billion loot.
She made it clear that at no time her name was linked to the loot by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) neither had she ever been arrested, describing those who reported that the EFCC had arrested her as mischief makers and malicious.
In a statement today, Sunday, in Abuja, Senator Bent made it clear that what was published against her was pure falsity which according to her, was baseless from all indications.
She said that she had nothing to do with any financial scam or fraud during or after her tenure in the Senate and has never been found wanting in any shady deal with anyone.
Senator Bent felt scandalized and upset by reports that were featured mostly online, alleging that she was a beneficiary of the so called Diezani largesse and that she was arrested by the EFCC in connection with missing ecological funds.
The former Senator said: “EFCC never arrested me on any allegation, since I did not commit any fraud. I wonder where such atrocious reports linking me with financial scam sprouted from.
“To set the record straight, I had to contact the EFCC for clarifications and to clear every mist of doubt created on my person by the report.
“I was not aware of the reports at first. Well wishers from far and near drew my attention to what was published against me. It was, indeed, damaging and I condemn the publications with all vehemence. I do not know what the authors had gained for attempting to damage my hard earned reputation.”
The Senator who represented Adamawa South Senatorial District between 2007-2011 said that her distraught over the media report escalated more because no one approached her for enquiries or clarifications on any issue before the publication, despite being always available to the media.
She advised media to desist from publishing reports aimed at tarnishing the reputations of innocent public servants, especially those who have served Nigeria meritoriously in different capacities.
Senator Bent said however, that she was not deterred by those trying to pull her down politically, adding that she would continue to remain focused and steadfast in her desire to do greater exploits in politics while serving the people of Adamawa and Nigeria in general. [myad]
