The Return of the U.S.$500,O00 Case

New Democrat (Monrovia)

1 June 2011

Valentine Ayika, the Nigerian who caused a stir within government circles here when US$500,000 was taken from him on allegations that he was a drug dealer has won a parliamentary seat in Nigeria, and one of his initial acts will be to re-open the case for his money by taking the Liberian government to court, according reports.

From the onset of the case, the government gave various reasons and ordered a probe, which has been inconclusive. Various actors said the money was used for state security reasons, while others said the Nigerian Government authorized the Liberian Government to use the money for its security.

Security hands here claimed Mr. Ayika secretly brought the money with him wrapped on his body, and that he was suspected of trafficking drugs.

Now, according to Internet media reports, the Nigerian, after winning Parliamentary elections, has threatened to complain Liberia to ECOWAS Court for its refusal to return his US$500,000 seized by officers of the Liberia National Police upon his arrival at the Roberts International Airport few years ago.

According to the report, Chief Ayika’s election to the Nigerian Parliament will enable him to represent his people residing in leading constituencies, the Njikoka Ibom State.

He said he would now prepare to press his case on the Liberian Government in order to return his money earned rightfully, noting, “My lawyers are preparing for the case. The Liberian government will have to give back my money which was illegally seized.”

Few years ago, the Liberian government came under serious public criticism for the manner in which the Nigerian businessman’s money was seized at the RIA.

According to security personnel who carried out the seizure, the money in question was found ‘plastered on his body’, thus creating suspicion which prompted his immediate arrest and subsequent detention.

Chief Ayika was released few days later after his lawyers pursued the case. But the money is yet to be returned despite promises by investigators to return it after deducting an unspecified percentage.

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