Mallam Dauda Lawal, First Bank Executive Director, Public Sector has finally revealed his ordeal in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)… “It is true that my name has featured prominently in the EFCC investigations of Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

“This allegation is malicious and without substance in any material particular. It must be stated clearly that Lawal is completely oblivious of the ownership status of the said hotel neither is he directly or remotely aware of any transaction involving the former Minister on this hotel. As the Executive Director in charge of Public sector of the bank, it is incumbent on him to build the necessary bridges to attract all the benefits the bank can muster from the financial operations of the public sector.”

“For the purpose of emphasis, Mallam Lawal Dauda has never been a conduit for movement of illicit funds neither has he been involved in the purchase of any hotel either here or elsewhere. This much was told to the EFCC during his interrogation. The former minister, given the influence she wielded within the government and operations in the oil sector was certainly an asset to any corporate Organisation, especially the banks.”

“All the banks in Nigeria and abroad actively sought to have banking relationships with her because she sat atop a sector which is the prime revenue spinner for the country. It is to Mr. Lawal’s credit that the First Bank group participated actively in offering financial services to the oil industry under Madueke.”