Okonjo-Iweala’s father reacts to wife’s kidnap, denies owing staff salary

The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State and father of Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Prof Chukwuma Okonjo on Wednesday refuted the allegation levelled against him by one of his former aides in his palace, Chiejine Onochie, that he wa being owed salaries.

Onochie, who is a member of the syndicate arrested by the Police for the kidnap of the 82-year-old Prof. Kamene Okonjo, admitted he took part in the conspiracy because he was owed salaries.

But the monarch, through his spokesman Law Okolobi, said that the suspect lied.

He lauded security agencies for apprehending the suspects, saying he decided to speak out because of “some of the self-serving lies which the main suspect told the media when he and his accomplices were recently paraded by the police.”

He said Onochie was dismissed from the palace for alleged stealing.
The fact that he went on to become a kidnap suspect, the monarch said, speaks volumes about his character.”

“These lies are obviously designed to put a positive gloss on the serious crimes they committed by abducting and brutalising an 82-year-old woman for five whole days.”

“For instance, the suspect claimed that Mrs. Okonjo was fed generously while she was in captivity. This is pure falsehood.”

“She was given nothing to eat throughout the period and only survived by the special grace of God,” he said.

“Were it not for the prayers of Nigerians and the quick medical attention she received after she was freed, the story could have ended tragically.”

According to the Monarch, the kidnapping was not an ordinary criminal act, adding that “God will reveal the truth in due course.”