Yakubu Gowon Speaks On Corruption Allegations By UK Parliamentarian

Nigeria’s former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has debunked a corruption allegation levelled against him by a United Kingdom (UK) parliamentarian, Tom Tugendhat.

THE WHISTLER earlier reported that Tugendhat, during a plenary of the UK parliament on Monday, accused Gowon of leaving Nigeria with “half the central bank” to the UK when he left power in 1975.

Tugendhat reportedly accused Gowon when members of the UK parliament debated a petition seeking sanctions against Nigerian government officials involved in the alleged human right violations associated with the EndSARS protest.

Gowon, who spoke exclusively to BBC Pidgin on Wednesday, said he had a clean record having served Nigeria diligently.

“What that MP said is rubbish and I know the allegation is sponsored.

“I did not want to react to his allegations because those who knew me are aware that his claims are false,” he said.

Ever since the UK lawmaker made the claims, some prominent Nigerians have spoken in defense of the former military General.

The likes of Nigeria’s former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Senator (Kaduna Central) Shehu Sani and president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, have all defended Gowon’s integrity.