Festus Keyamo: “My Properties Abroad, Not Obtained With Public Funds”

The acquisition of a property in the United States of America by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has been a topic of controversy on social media.

In response, Keyamo clarified via his verified Twitter account that he did not acquire the property with stolen funds. He confirmed that the property belonged to him and that he acquired it with money earned from his legal practice.

According to Keyamo, he wrote to relevant government agencies on March 6, 2019, informing them of the closure of his foreign account(s) and the repatriation of the funds to the country.

The funds had been savings made over decades as a private legal practitioner and property investor. He stated that the foreign funds were lying in his accounts until he was appointed Minister in 2019.

Keyamo further explained that in 2021, he informed the relevant agencies of the movement of those funds out of the country to purchase a property as a better investment decision.

He found it amusing that some people on social media thought he could not afford such a property after 30 years of active, high-profile practice of law. He noted that the building was “about the cheapest” of his several properties.

Keyamo also highlighted that his law chambers and real estate investments are more financially profitable than serving Nigeria. He emphasized that he and others like him do not need government funds or patronage to get by and that their work for the country is a labor of love.