By Austin Ogwuda
THE suspended Senior Special Assistant on Morals and Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Favour Obakoro aka Vida Modelo says “I almost committed suicide. It was too much for me to handle. I woke up one morning and suddenly, my name was being dragged through the mud worldwide”.
Recounting her ordeal in an interview with Spade Nigeria News she said, “I have suffered severe emotional and financial trauma due to this injustice. My life is under threat. The comments on my social media pages are terrifying. I am appealing to the authorities to ensure a fair investigation. If justice is not served, I am ready to take legal action against the Nigeria Police for wrongful detention and defamation.
“I almost committed suicide. It was too much for me to handle. I woke up one morning, and suddenly, my name was being dragged through the mud worldwide. I want to categorically state that whatever story is out there is 100% false. Nobody ever paid me for a visa using my government office. The claim that I scammed people of over 100 million naira is a complete lie.
“I am a Senior Special Assistant, but I do not have a vote or budgetary power. How can I exploit government resources? I challenge anyone with evidence of such to come forward.”
“I want to categorically state that whatever story is out there is 100% false. Nobody ever paid me for a visa using my government office. The claim that I scammed people of over 100 million naira is a complete lie.
“My company, Vida Modelo Multimedia, had engaged in lawful financial transactions for over 15 years. The controversy began in 2023 when ERN Partners, a Turkey-based company, sought my services for legitimate international financial transactions.
“My company has always ensured transparency in our dealings. ERN Partners, an Apple developer and online services company, needed to facilitate financial transactions in Nigeria. They reached out to us because of our credibility. We followed due process, verified the transactions, and executed them accordingly”.
She further explained that “when I received a Police summons, alleging my involvement in a scam, I was first contacted by a cybercrime unit officer in Abuja. The call was abrupt and I was scared because of how things happen in Nigeria. When I finally got a formal message, I honored the invitation, believing in the rule of law.
“Despite presenting receipts and evidence of the legitimate transactions”, she went on, “I was detained for over three weeks.
I was bullied, tormented and forced to make payments I had no business with.
“The Police officer in charge, along with my investigating officer, were unfair in their handling of my case. Even after proving my innocence, they insisted I must refund money to people I had never met.
“When I finally came out of detention, I saw all the damaging publications against me. It was terrible. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
“I am calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Interpol, and other anti-fraud agencies to conduct an independent and unbiased investigation into the allegations against me”, she pleaded.
Recall that the Delta State Government sometime in January this year announced her immediate suspension from office.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, explained that the suspension was necessary to allow security agencies to investigate allegations that she used her position as a government official to fraudulently obtain money from various individuals.
Source: Spade Nigeria News
