Breaking News: Attempts to Relocate Funds From Governor Wike Asokoro Private Residence Fails.

A source within Governor Nyesom Wike's Asokoro Extension Residence in Abuja has revealed that frantic attempts made by some personal aides to the Governor to relocate some funds from his private house to the Rivers State Government Lodge which is also within Asokoro Extension has failed. This was due to the heavy and unusual presence of strange persons around the area, who were strongly suspected to be plane cloth security personnel.

The source said there has been some panic and uneasiness around the Governor's private house since two of the Governor's aides arrived from Port Harcourt on Friday. Since Friday night, the aides had been making frantic efforts to move 5 boxes suspected to contain money out of his private home to the Government Lodge, but failed. The source who spoke on anonymity said: "around 5pm on Friday, Oga XYZ (name deleted) came with one other guy and they were just acting with too much anxiety. They told us to position Oga's tinted bullet proof jeep. Then they went upstairs and brought down 5 heavy boxes and we put them in the car, but when we drove out around 6.30pm to the street, we saw plenty Policemen both those without uniforms doing stop and search. They were just searching every car, so we made U-turn and went back to the compound".

He said they made several other attempts between yesterday and today (Sunday), but could not succeed, as the presence of the security men around the area had become apprehensively unusual and for a purpose. He added. "Oga XYZ called the Governor in Port Harcourt and told him of the situation. He even told him that he has to come to Abuja and quickly if they must relocate the boxes safely". He denied knowledge of the contents of the boxes

Another source, who appeared to know more, said that someone had blown a whistle that the Governor had about $15 Million US Dollars in cash in his private residence at Asokoro. The information was said to have got late on Friday night to the relevant quarters, and that since he is a serving Governor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) considers it is appropriate to obtain a formal Search Warrant from a Court of Law before embarking on the Search. According to him, the EFCC is evaluating their strategy and is weighing its options whether to continue with search warrant option or deploy insider surveillance to wait for the trail no matter how long.

With the later option, the Commission runs a risk. The problem with that options is that once the alleged money is eventually relocated to the Rivers State Government Lodge which is less than One Thousand (1000) meters or thereabout from the Governor's private home, it becomes difficult to isolate the fund from the Rivers State Government's and that will invariably obliterate the crime of money laundering apparent in the action and motive of the Governor and his aides. However, the situation remains the same within the area, with some much anxiety amongst the aides.

A random check from our sources within the Government House, Port Harcourt said that in the early ours of today (Sunday) the Governor was very restive and full of anxiety. One source said: "No be small thing oh. Na so so call him just dey make since morning. He called his lawyer, and asked if ABC has briefed him. I don't know what the lawyer said to him, and he screamed; 'No, we have to file an application in Court first thing on Tuesday. We can't allow them to search my house. I will call our man, AAA, to fix things so we get it experte same day'". The source added that BBB advise against going to the court: "H.E, let's not go to court on this. They can't search your car when you are inside it. Let's just go there and you will sit inside the car and let's see whether they will search your car". The Governor is expected to travel to Abuja to personally oversee the situation. (Real names were given, but all deleted on purpose.

Meanwhile, the Governor yesterday alerted the public of a plot by the Inspector General of Police to kill him. Listening to the Governor speak to the Press, he started with the alleged plot of his assassination, but unfortunately he could not cover for long the motive of his Press briefing, which was a sympathy call on Nigerians to prevail and prevent the Police and EFCC from searching his private house, which will apparently uncover his illicit acts. His argument was that he has constitutional immunity, which should prevent the Police from searching his house.

On the other hand, a source within the Commission said they will search his house as soon as they obtain the Warrant from the Court on Tuesday. He said: " the Supreme Court has made it clear that the immunity does not prevent investigations and search is a process of investigation. The only difference is that we can't charge him to court until he leaves Office". When asked about the perpetual injunction from the Rivers State Government, he said "once the money has moved from Rivers State to any other state outside Rivers, the Money Laundering Act will apply to such Rivers State Official, because then EFCC as then is not looking at the Account Books of the State, but the criminal possession and movement of funds across states in Nigeria".

From all indications, it appears that tough times await the Governor in the coming weeks and only time will tell if the Governor will succeed to relocate the fund; whether the commission will be able to secure the search warrant or will opt for an alternative; whether the Governor and his legal team will file the application and obtain the court order or follow the advise of his associates not to go to court, etc. All of these are expected to play out next week