PanamaPapers: My Hands Are Clean, Says Mark

Segun James
Even as the dust raised by the leaking of the names of prominent Nigerians among world leaders who operate dubious foreign accounts and offshore companies is yet to settle, former Senate President, David Mark, whose name was allegedly mentioned in the report, has denied the allegation.

Mark in a statement signed by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, lamented that his hands are clean and that the inclusion of his name was “an attempt to blackmail and tarnish his hard earned image by some political elements.”

According to the statement, contrary to what was reported in the media, his name “is not listed anywhere in the database of Mossack Fonseca Law Firm. We reiterate categorically, that he is not directly or indirectly connected to any of the companies registered, operated or managed by the Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

“We challenge all those behind this propaganda and media outburst to prove or show that Mark’s name was mentioned in the leaks. He is prepared to stand and defend himself against any accusation in relation to this matter.”

Mark stressed that searches carried out on “the Mossack Fonseca database found no statement, item or any connection to Senator David Mark or his family. It follows that there is no record whatsoever of any impropriety or wrongdoing.”
The senator recalled that in his quest for senate presidency in 2007, there was an attempt to bring a similar issue to the fore in order to stop him.

“So what are their fears now in 2016 for regurgitating the same issue?” he queried.
The former Senate president therefore “distanced himself and any member of his family from the said Mossack Fonseca firm and has no affiliation whatsoever with any company operated, registered or managed by Mossack Fonseca.
“Mark has not contravened any laws of the land and he is treating this for what it is, an attempt to blackmail and tarnish his hard earned image by some political elements.

“As a public officer, Mark has maintained a high level of decorum respects and observes the laws of the land and believes in the sanctity of the rule of law. He will not be distracted by what is clearly a deliberate mischief and propaganda.
“Records of all his assets are available with the relevant government agencies and can be verified.”
Even though he never stated who he wanted to sue, Mark however said he had consulted his legal team on the issue.