N500m Bribery Allegation: Buhari Didn’t Suspend Me-Kyari

The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abbah Kyari has debunked the claim that he was suspended by the President over his alleged role in the N500 million bribery scandal.

Kyari is under investigation for allegedly obtaining N500 million bride from MTN Telecommunications Company with the intent that the COS influence government to discontinue its heavy stance on the $5billion fine imposed on the company.

The Nigerian Communication Commission, Nigeria’s telecoms regulator had slammed a $5 billion fine on MTN for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered phone lines bought before January 2012.

In 2011, the NCC mandated all telecoms operators in Nigeria to register all existing phone subscribers before a January 2012 deadline.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Elenamah has also been fingered as aiding the $13.9 billion capital flight fraud by MTN.

When approached by newsmen on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the President said he was not suspended as insinuated in some quarters but went on leave.

“Are you going to tweet that I am back?”, he asked State House correspondents on Friday while coming out of the president’s office.

The Senate has asked its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to investigate the alleged capital flight fraud. but failed to attend the public hearing.