From Sola Ojo
Former Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo has denied allegations that he unduly favoured Interstate Electrics Limited in the acquisition of Enugu Distribution Company (Enugu Disco), during the privatisation process that took place when he served as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation.
The Principal Private Secretary to the former Vice President, Mr Yinka Ibrahim in a statement described the allegations published in a national daily (not The Sun) as “frivolous, irresponsible” and mischievously orchestrated to discredit the statesman’s hard-earned reputation built over five decades of public service.
According to him, the article published by the said national daily titled “The dark side of Aba Power Project” was not only “irresponsible and mischievous but falls below the standards of responsible journalism of fact-checking and balance.
“For the records, in the almost 5 decades of his public service career, Sambo served diligently to the best of his ability and never used his capacity or office for personal gains or for the benefit of his friends and associates.
“Under his leadership, the National Council on Privatisation followed due process in selling government enterprises to successful bidders.
“The former Vice President had no vested interest in Interstate Electrics or any other privatised entity by the National Council on Privatisation under his watch.
“The entire process of privatisation was conducted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and laid down rules and procedures. For the avoidance of doubt, all records of privatisation process are available for verification.
“Interestingly, Prof. Barth Nnaji, the owner of Geometric and the Promoter of the Aba Power Project, was the Minister of Power and member of the Privatisation Council during the period under review.
“Prof Barth was not only part of the decision-making process but led the implementation of all decisions as related to the power sector.
“It is therefore worrisome to note the claim by the writer that Mr. Sambo had any vested interest in Interstate Electrics and violated the process to enable it acquire Enugu Disco.
“The publication is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and rewrite history, more than 10 years after the sale process,” the statement read in part.