Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Matthew Atungwu
Published on 2024-01-27 09:29:58
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has brought to a close his legal case against Lilian Onoh, a former Nigerian ambassador to Jamaica and Namibia, related to allegations of defamation. The conclusion of Onyeama’s case came after a cross-examination on Friday before Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya of a Federal Capital Territory High Court at Zuba in Abuja. The allegations in question pertained to financial misappropriation at Nigerian embassies in Jamaica and Namibia.
Onyeama, who served during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, took legal action against Onoh after she accused him of condoning grand corruption at Nigerian foreign missions. Onoh, who is Onyeama’s sister-in-law, was alleged to have “sponsored” critical newspaper articles targeting Onyeama during his tenure as the foreign minister.
The dispute stemmed from Onoh’s assertion that a significant portion of the $5 million donations by the Red Cross in Nigeria to aid victims of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake was misappropriated by Nigerian diplomats in Jamaica. This drew attention to the Nigerian mission in Jamaica, which was entrusted with responsibly utilizing the $5 million donations for relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake in the Caribbean country.
Furthermore, Onoh alleged that before her arrival as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, approximately $600,000 was siphoned by officials, including manipulation of VAT remittances, which shortchanged the Namibian government.
During the cross-examination by Onoh’s lawyer, Monday Ejeh, Onyeama asserted that he took appropriate action on every complaint regarding fraudulent financial transactions raised against Nigerian diplomats by Onoh. He stated that he referred such issues to the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and directed that investigations be conducted.
In conclusion, Onyeama’s decision to close his case indicates the resolution of the legal dispute between him and Onoh, bringing an end to the public airing of allegations and accusations.
