Toke Benson reacts to accusations linking her to NNPC MD's stolen $6m cash and jewelry

Ms Toke Benson, alleged close friend to the NNPC Managing Director who was recently robbed by her cook of $6million has reacted to claims she introduced the alleged thief to the NNPC boss.

Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue and the suspect, Gabel Segbedji

You recall that two days ago, news had gone viral that a cook who served Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, a Managing Director at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Abuja, absconded with her cash and pieces of jewelry worth $6million.


According to SaharaReporters, Gabel Segbedji, a national of Benin Republic, had taken off with Mrs Esther Nnadi-Ogbue's $6m in a Toyota Camry car which also belonged to her last Wednesday.

Sahara Reporters had said they gathered that Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue did not report the burglary to the 
police, in the hope of avoiding further attention, as she was already under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

And that Segbedji was said to have been recommended for employment to Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue by a close friend of hers, Toke Benson. 

Toke has however denied that claim and says she does not know any of the persons/individuals mentioned above - Mrs Esther Nnadi-Ogbue and Gabel Segbedji.

Read the statement she just released below:

I write in respect of a publication by “Sahara Reporters” of 2nd November 2016  available online at http://saharareporters.com/2016/11/02/chef-nnpc-managing-director-esther-ogbue-absconds-6m-cash-and-jewelry with the caption; Chef of NNPC Managing Director Esther Ogbue absconds with $6m In Cash And Jewelry.  

In the above referred publication, Sahara Reporters falsely reported as follows:

“Segbedji is said to have been recommended for employment to Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue by a close friend of hers, Toke Benson.”

I do not know any of the persons/individuals mentioned in the publication. I also did not recommend the said Mr. Gabel Segbedji or any other person(s) to Mrs. Esther Nnamdi – Ogbue or any other person(s) for employment. All of these show that the publication suggesting a relationship between her and the parties involved is indeed patently false.    

By the words quoted above in their natural and ordinary meaning, Sahara Reporters meant and were understood by the public to mean that:

• i. I am a close friend of a public officer whose lifestyle is inconsistent with her legitimate earnings;
• ii. I recommended an alleged thief for employment hence my judgment is unreliable and cannot be trusted. 

This report is substantially unfounded, very untrue and I want the public to totally disregard it.