25 June 2013, Port Harcourt – Former leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Mr Farah Dagogo, has said that it was not true that he connived with some persons to embezzle N2.2 billion meant for pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta region.
Farah, who also dismissed allegations that he recently acquired a private jet, said his detractors were out to tarnish his image.
He said he was the Managing Director of ADEF Energy Resources Limited, the firm that secured the job, adding that Ateke Tom, Asari Dokubo and Soboma Jackrich were directors of the firm.
He said as Managing Director, he had nothing to do with the funds of the firm, adding that he had no link with the missing money meant to secure oil pipeline in the region.
He said he was aware that the three directors were duly paid their entitlements for the 10 months the firm functioned.
“My administrative duty was the day to day running of the business and not to make any payment or temper with funds. Therefore, I cannot do anything without their consent. I have no hands in diverting any fund meant for the pipeline security,” he said.
Continuing, he said he had made frantic efforts to track the person who allegedly diverted the money to no avail. “I have even gone to London to trace him without success,” he said.
– Vanguard