A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has refuted claims by Pandora Papers that he evaded taxes by setting up offshore companies in foreign countries.
Obi, the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections, said all his companies were set up from the proceeds of his business, an occupation he engaged in before venturing into politics.
Recall that the Pandora Papers had indicted Obi to have failed to declare his assets in full to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The former governor was also alleged to have set up a discreet company in the British Virgin Island, and named the company Gabriella Investments Limited, after his daughter. According to the leaks, Obi allegedly contracted Acces International, a secrecy enabler in Monaco, France, to help him incorporate an offshore entity in one of the world’s most notorious tax havens noted for providing conduits for the wealthy and privileged corrupt political elites to hide stolen cash.
Reacting, during an interview with Arise TV programme the former governor debunked the allegations, describing it as false.
In his words, “I did not in any respect whatsoever violate any law before, during and after my stewardship as the governor of Anambra.
“I think that the authors displayed ignorance on matters of Trust and International Investment Practices.
“I was the sole importer of Heinz salad cream, just to give you an example of one company.
“I was the sole engineer of South African Breweries. I was also bringing in Ovaltine.
“The company I was with before, I left it for my brother who took over and paid me off. That company became the Next Cash and Carry which you see in Port Harcourt and Abuja.”
