The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) will re-apply for the $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 (N13billion) recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

A source, who spoke to our reporter yesterday insisted that despite the allegations and counter-allegations, the money belongs to the security outfit.

The source, who did not want to be named insisted that the authorities of the NIA had informed the EFCC about the money before the operation was carried out.

She said that the money was released by former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for covert operations.

“The thing is like this, though the money was released by the past administration, it was kept in a safe house. Even before the EFCC went to the scene where the money was recovered, the NIA boss, Director General of the NIA, Ayodele Oke, had spoken with the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, over the matter. They spoke for about an hour, so we were surprised that the operatives still went there with cameras and all that”, the source said.

She added that since the matter was now with the Presidency, the agency will have to start the process of getting back the money by re-applying for it.

Since the recovery of the money by the anti-graft commission, there have been exchange of words over the real owner.

Some public figures including a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Muazu, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, have been linked to the house where the money was found. They have since denied ownership of the money.

When our correspondent visited the house located at number 16 Osborne road yesterday, the place was deserted except for the private security guards at the entrance.

•Excerpted from a Daily Trust on Sunday report.

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