“I Didn’t Break Any Law” – Peter Obi Finally Reacts To Allegations By Pandora Papers

Peter Obi has finally reacted to allegations by Pandora Papers, insisting that he didn’t break any law.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has denied any wrongdoing following an allegation by the Pandora Papers that he breached the laws by engaging in secret businesses set up in tax havens.

KanyiDaily recalls that Pandora Papers had exposed how Peter Obi broke three laws over his involvement in foreign shady deals which saw him set up several off shore companies and kept secret assets in tax havens.

According to an investigation, Peter Obi has several secret business dealings and relationships including some he clandestinely set up and operated overseas, including in notorious tax and secrecy havens in ways that breached Nigerian laws.

The former governor could be charged for failing to declare the company and its associated assets and perhaps operating foreign accounts while being a public officer.

Peter Obi Reacts To Allegations By Pandora Papers

In a statement on Thursday, Peter Obi said that the publication did not say he had been engaged in unlawful business ventures or accused of any form of corruption, whether in the form of diversion of public funds or in any other manner, during and after his stewardship as a governor.

He said, “I have read with dismay, the article captioned as above, published by the Premium Times Newspaper on the 4th October 2021. I began to wonder if a thorough scrutiny and appreciation of all the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged transactions were made by the writers.

“Indeed, I broke no law. My understanding is that the allegation borders more on tax avoidance and non-declaration of some jointly owned assets.

“It is exhilarating that nowhere in the article was I accused of any form of corruption, in the form of diversion of public funds or in any other manner during and after my stewardship as the Governor of Anambra State. It was equally not alleged that I have been engaged in unlawful business ventures at any time whatsoever.

“On the allegation that I violated the Nigerian Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, as well as sections of the 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), by not declaring any alleged assets in Companies registered outside the Nigerian Federation, I think that the authors displayed ignorance on matters of Trust and International Investment Practices.

“I did not in any respect whatsoever violate any law before, during and after my stewardship as the Governor of Anambra State of Nigeria. In all matters relating to my investments and declaration of my personal assets, wherever they may be found, I proceeded, pursuant to professional opinions and advice of investment experts both locally and internationally. I also engaged and acted on solicited advice by reputable Legal Practitioners on whose opinion I justifiably relied.

“Again, I state that I broke no law. I will urge all well-meaning persons to see through the hopeless sleight and ignore the publication.

KanyiDaily recalls that Peter Obi had also opened up about demanding the sum of N7 billion for installing his successor, Willie Obiano, as Anambra state governor.