The Federal Government, FG, of Nigeria has traced at least N83 billion in cryptocurrency and fiat money channeled towards the recent nationwide hunger protests, The PUNCH reports.
According to the report, the money included $50m of cryptocurrency. $38m of which were blocked in four cryptocurrency wallets. And N4bn contributed by various political actors in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States.
This was contained in a presentation by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The NSA made the disclosure at the inaugural meeting of the Council of State convened by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
According to multiple sources with knowledge of Tuesday’s meeting proceedings reported by The PUNCH, Ribadu made the disclosure.
The NSA who spoke on the topic ‘The Nationwide Protest As It Affects National Security,’ also revealed that an European has been identified as the mastermind of the proliferation of foreign flags during the protests. He pointed that foreigner will soon be declared wanted by the Police.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, disclosed that local conspirators traced to capital city Abuja, Kaduna and Kano have been arrested, PUNCH reported.
“In his presentation, the NSA said the Government was able to trace $50m to crypto wallets. The monies were made as donations to the protests. They succeeded in blocking four of those wallets containing $38m.
“They also found out that some political actors contributed N4bn to fund the protests,” one of the sources told The PUNCH.
IVNTV NEWS had reported on Tuesday that President Tinubu convened the Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa. Top on the agenda of the meeting was the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, national security, the economy and food security.
Council of State comprises the President (who serves as its chairman), and the Vice President. All former Presidents and Heads of State and all former Chief Justices of Nigeria. The Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and all State Governors.
Past leaders that attended the meeting included former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhamamdu Buhari. Former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), joined the meeting virtually.
Some of the Governors who couldn’t make it to Abuja joined virtually. These included the Governors of Abia, Adamawa and Akwa Ibom States.
source: Punch
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