Festus Keyamo has reacted to allegations that he purchased his home in the US with Nigeria’s public funds.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Minister of State for Labour and Employment took to Twitter on Saturday to clarify his sources of funds.
Keyamo said he acquired his property in the U.S legally, adding that the house which was the bane of discussion is the least of his belongings.
In his reaction to a claim that he acquired the US home for over $300,000 shortly after he was appointed Minister in 2019, Keyamo stated that prior to his becoming a public office holder, he declared his assert, adding that everyone could verify what he had at the time and as such the claim is unfounded.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), while stressing that he did not need to steal money from the nation’s coffers to acquire any property, said he ensured he kept in line with the laws that do not allow public officials to operate foreign bank accounts, to ensure that transparency prevails.
According to Keyamo, the funds with which he procured the US home and many others were some savings he made “as a private legal practitioner and a property investor over decades.”
He added that it is a shame that because some persons like him operate in the most modest way, people continue to underestimate their achievements.
Keyamo’s full statement:
Two days ago, I decided to bait the horde of sore losers at the last elections with a video of my vacation in ONE OF MY PROPERTIES abroad as I did a light workout. Expectedly, they fell so terribly for the bait.
Being folks of low moral standards, they seem to view everyone from their own depraved universe. Given same position of public trust and authority, I bet they would easily compromise. So, they assume everyone will wallow in the same moral squalor like them.
For some of us who have built a huge reputation of honour, integrity and accountability and championed the fight against corruption — long before public office- probity and openness remain our guiding principles.
By letters dated March 6, 2019 (long before I was appointed a Minister and immediately I was appointed a Board member of the NDIC), and in line with our Constitution, I wrote to the relevant government agencies, informing them of the closure of my foreign account(s) and the repatriation of my funds to the country, being some savings I had made as a private legal practitioner and a property investor over decades. The numbers of those accounts, both abroad and in Nigeria were clearly stated in those letters. Those foreign funds were lying in my accounts until my appointment as a Minister later in 2019 and formed part of my assets declaration.
In 2021, I again wrote to the relevant agencies (by letters dated January 22, 2021), informing them of the movement of those funds out of the country to purchase a property as a better investment decision, instead of the funds lying idly in the account whilst I am in public office. The letters were duly acknowledged. I followed up again with Whatsapp chats same day to the heads of those agencies, informing them of the delivery of those letters and the contents of the letters and they acknowledged receipt. I have the acknowledged copies of those letters and those chats and replies are still on my phone, showing the dates of those chats.
So, I had a good laugh when I saw the trending issues regarding just one of my properties in the US. It is even very laughable to think that after active, high-profile practice of law culminating in my privilege as a member of the Inner Bar (together with being an International Arbitrator) and thoughtful investments in real estate spanning over 30 years, I cannot afford such a relatively modest property.
Understandably, some people seem to underrate us because we live a simple, modest life and we are not given to ostentatious display of wealth and the vanities of life like some people do. Lol. Well, for these haters, I have another bad news for them: let me now disclose that of my entire real estate portfolio (both home and abroad), this is about the CHEAPEST of my several properties.
Those who are VERY CLOSE to me over the years know exactly what I am talking about. My flourishing and manned law Chambers (whilst I am away on national assignment) and my real estate investments are still far more financially profitable than serving my country.
Ours is a labour of love to my country. My Assets Declaration is there for all to see. (Again, this is verifiable.) Some of us don’t need Government funds or patronage to get by.
Whatever we do and whoever we support is out of our deep convictions. And yes, we have worked our socks off in the last 30 years!
Please, expect more videos!
Read also:
Reactions as Festus Keyamo Shares Fitness Video From US Vacation
‘How I Made The Money to Buy My Home in US’ – Festus Keyamo