Looting: Tugendhat is on his own — UK responds to allegation against Gowon

The United Kingdom in response to a petition by Igbo for a Progressive Nigeria (IPAN), demanding details about an allegation by a member of its parliament, Tom Tugendhat, who during the Westminster Hall debate on November 23, accused the former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, of looting half of the Central Bank of Nigeria during his time in charge, said comments made by Tugendhat, was made in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government.

Gowon has described the allegations by Tugendhat as a “mere rubbish fallacy”.

General Gowon, who told the BBC News Pidgin that he served Nigeria with utmost fear of God said his legacies were visible to everyone.

“What the MP said was just mere ridicule and I don’t know as to where he cooked up such statement. I served Nigeria as much as I could and my achievements during those years are available to everyone,” he said.

He, however, promised not to engage in any form of argument over the matter as people who knew him very well would speak in his defense.

“I don’t want to talk over the matter since those who know me very well say that the MP’s statement is nothing but a mere fallacy,” he added.

In its response to IPAN’s petition in a letter dated December 21 and signed by a member of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Nigeria Unit, one Angela disclosed that Tom Tugendhat made the statement in his own personal capacity, and not for the British Parliament or the United Kingdom.

Angela said: “Thank you for your email of 29 November to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office about the debate on Nigeria.

I am replying as a member of the FCDO Nigeria Unit. I recognize there is concern about the comments made by Tom Tugendhat MP about former Nigerian Head of State, General Gowon, during the Westminster Hall debate on 23 November.

“I would like to clarify that Mr. Tugendhat was speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government.

“The High Commissioner has written to the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, as well as to General Gowon, to reiterate this point. Yours Sincerely, Angela