The embattled George Turnah has said that he never got multiple contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as being alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Turnah is facing trial at Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, on a 12-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering and abuse of office.

Turnah was arrested in Port Harcourt in March 2017 in connection with alleged possession of N2 billion, suspected to be siphoned from the NDDC while he served in the commission between 2012 and 2015.

The Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwajaren, had said that preliminary investigations indicated that Turnah made deposits in his personal and company bank accounts in excess of N2 billion.

Turnah, through his lawyer, Amuda-Kannike (SAN), has written to the Managing Director of the NDDC to seek for information and clarifications on the purported claims credited to the EFCC, that he got various contracts from the commission, which he never executed.

In a letter dated 30th of May, 2017 and signed by one I.D Wariboko, Turnah is seeking information on details of such purported contracts such as building of Ogbia Brotherhood Village and electrification of Ogbia communities, including Kolo town.

He wants the NDDC in line with the Freedom of Information Act furnish him with names of companies to which the projects were awarded, total scope and amount of the said contracts, and how much has been released so far to the said contractors.

The lawyer also wrote to Mr. Ishaq Salihu, Zonal Head of EFCC, South South, to demand for apology, retraction and payment of N100 million as compensation over the defamatory publications against the person and reputation of former Special Adviser to the former Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Turnah.

Turnah had also written Mr. Bodmas Kemepadei over his alleged malicious post on his Facebook page disparaging him and presenting him as a fraudster.

In the letter signed by one Barrister O.N. Anugbum, Mr. Turnah noted that the post titled, “STILL ON GEORGE TURNAH ARREST”, has drastically lowered and impugned his hard-earned reputation and dignified personality and so provides a valid ground for defamation.

Mr. Turnah has demanded apology and retraction of the said Facebook post by Kemepadei and payment of N100 million naira compensatory damage to avoid a N10 billion naira defamation suit.

Mr. Turnah, who is facing trial over allegation bordering on false pretence and money laundering preferred against him and eight companies connected to him by EFCC, is now seeking the grant of bail and set aside the interim order of forfeiture of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

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