SOYINKA ASKS EFCC, DSS, OTHERS TO 'ARREST' HIM

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has said he is saddened, but indifferent to the allegation that Rivers State Government spent N82 million to host him on his 80th birthday.

The octogenarian however said he was ready for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other law enforcement agency to make their findings on the allegation.

Soyinka said In a statement, Wednesday night titled: “Those Who Flounder in the Sewage of Corruption”:

“This morning, I saw only the by-lines in one or two print media regarding the 80th birthday dinner to which I was hosted by the former governor of Rivers State, the Honorable Rotimi Amaechi, now Minister of Transportation. I ignored them. It was not, and remains not my business to probe into the catering and logistical implications of the hundreds of institutions and governments all over the world to whom I acknowledge an immense debt of unsolicited recognition over the years.

“Since then, however, I have learnt of some unsavory statements by the insecure incumbent of the Rivers State Government Lodge. These included a loose invitation to anti-crime agencies to investigate the potential crime of being honoured through any occasion.

“The unprecedented call by this governor is prescient of a warning I recounted in my recent pamphlet publication, The Republic of Liars, and was taken from my address to an anti-corruption global conference that took place in Tunisia two years ago. Those words were: ‘Corruption Strikes Back’.

“In this on-going instance, that expression translates most vividly as ‘Those who are neck deep in the sewage of corruption ensure that they splatter sewage in all possible and improbable directions’.”

Soyinka however, derisively asked that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to involve the INTERPOL so as to extend its probing to international organizations that had honoured previously.

“I do however fully support the Wikeleaks call for multi-directional probes. I recommend further that he involves the services of INTERPOL to guarantee its extension to all international organisations and governments to whom I owe uncountable events of recognition – including birthday luncheons, dinners, cultural receptions and events of real, fictitious, or simply opportunistic flavouring - to which I have submitted myself,” he said.

The Nobel Laureate said he was saddened but indifferent to the allegations and said he was ready for questioning.

“The descent to this present level of abominable distractions makes one truly despair. It is one that even I did not envisage when I warned – Corruption Strikes Back! Whether it brings honour or dishonour to the nation is another matter – I am saddened, but indifferent. EFCC and company – over to you! You all know where I live,” he said.

However, the Rivers State government further expresses worry over the “more startling discoveries of monumental looting and misappropriation of public funds by officials of the Amaechi administration in the state”.

It said the discovery of over N82 million spent on a three-hour dinner organised for Soyinka by the former governor through the Ministry of Information and Communication, was another confirmation of how “terribly wasteful, imprudent and corrupt” that administration was.

In a statement issued by Mr. Jerry Needam, special adviser, media to the state PDP chairman, Felix Obuah, said: “The party notes that apart from the negative implication this singular action has on the image of the guest, in whose honour the money was allegedly spent, it further goes to expose possible collaboration, a development that calls for explanation to the Rivers people.

“The pain of the PDP is further heightened with the fact that as at the time all these financial waste was being carried out, staff, pensioners and contractors of the state Ministry of Information and Communication were owed several months’ salaries, pensions, gratuities, and control funds, while facilities at the state-owned media establishments were also moribund and obsolete, and needed to be enhanced/upgraded.”

According to THISDAY, The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, on Wednesday declared that the state government would demand a refund of the N82 million expended by Amaechi on Soyinka’s dinner if it confirmed that the Nobel laureate received part of the funds in cash.

Tam-George said: “I will seek the permission of the governor to formally write Professor Wole Soyinka, a known supporter of Amaechi, if he received part of the N82 million spent on a three-hour dinner hosted for him by the Amaechi administration.

“If he agrees that he received such funds, then he will be compelled to refund same to the coffers of Rivers State. At present, we have presented these details to the police for investigation and prosecution. We shall also take up this matter as a financial crime against the people of Rivers State.”

Share this

Anonymous