Senator Ali Ndume has denied allegations linking him to terrorists through an alleged intermediary, insisting that he never met Samaila Kaigama and never received ₦5 billion in ransom money.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, the senator dismissed claims that he acted as an intermediary for terrorists, saying his interactions with Kaigama were limited to telephone conversations before he severed contact after becoming suspicious of him.
“I have never met him. I spoke to him several times before I cut off contact after I became suspicious of him,” Ndume said.
The former Senate Chief Whip maintained that he had no personal relationship with Kaigama and rejected any suggestion that he facilitated negotiations or maintained links with terrorist groups.
Ndume also denied accusations that he received ₦5 billion in ransom payments, describing the allegation as false.
“I have said it already in my life; I have never seen ₦1 billion cash, not to talk of ₦5 billion,” he said.
The Borno South lawmaker insisted that the allegations against him were unfounded and reaffirmed that he had never been involved in collecting or receiving ransom on behalf of criminal or terrorist groups.
His remarks followed allegations made by Samaila Kaigama, who accused the senator of serving as an intermediary for terrorists and benefiting from ransom payments—claims Ndume has firmly denied.
(The Sun)