Ebun Olowu
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian High Commission in London have demanded an apology and retraction of the allegation from the British Government against former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon.
A statement by the ministry says its attention has been drawn to an outrageous and unsubstantiated allegation in the United Kingdom Parliament against retired General Yakubu Gowon by Mr. Tom Tugendhat, MP, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons.
It explains that during a debate on a petition regarding the EndSARS protests in Nigeria, Tugendhat accused the respected former Head of State of corruption, saying “some people will remember when General Gowon left Nigeria with half the Central Bank and moved to London”.
It states that after due consultations and engagements with the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner in London, the Head of Africa Department of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Charlotte Pierre, expressed strong reservations on the comment of the Parliamentarian.
It says Charlotte Pierre explained that the said comment of the MP does not reflect the views of Her Majesty’s Government and the British Government has no mechanism for controlling the actions and speeches of members of the Parliament.
