It also clarified that the money from the sale of the properties between 2004 and 2007 was $23,586,497.84 and not $27 million as reported.
The reports were from a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Nigeria's former Ambassador to the US, Prof. George Obiozor, the current Ambassador, Prof. Ade Adefuye and Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Prof. Joy Ogwu appeared at the meeting.
The Ministry, in a statement it issued on Friday, said the money made from the sale, which was authorised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo were duly accounted for. It added that the press was not privy to the submissions of Obiozor, Adefuye and Ogwu, and should not prejudice the findings of the committee.
"We therefore urge that patience be exercised as we await the final report of the Senate Committee's investigation into this issue," the statement read.
Reports in national dailies alleged that officials of the Nigerian embassy in the USA sold the said properties from where the proceeds of the said sum were realised but could no longer be accounted for.
Former Ambassadors and Nigeria's permanent representative at the UN were said to have been summoned to say all they knew about the transaction as well as the whereabouts of the proceeds of the sales.
A non-governmental organisation, Transform Nigeria Movement had petitioned the Senate to conduct inquiries into the sales, alleging that the money had developed wing.
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