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A former journalist at The Ghanaian Chronicle Newspaper, William Nyarko says the claim by former President Jerry John Rawlings that he was gifted only $2 million by late Nigeria President Sani Abacha is entirely not true.

Mr Nyarko who is now a lawyer in London says the information he gathered in 1998 during the period of the controversy, indicated Mr Rawlings received the $5 million and not $2 million. 

Mr Nyarko disclosed this on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' when he was reacting to an interview the former President granted to Guardian newspaper in Nigeria.

"The most important thing is that after 18 years, former President Rawlings; even if he collected $1 it is not good. The most important thing is that he has accepted he collected the money. We all have our sources...if he says 2 million and Gwazo says 5million; you and I were not there. The emphasis should be on the fact that he denied collecting the money from 1998 and now he has accepted; for me it is very significant" Mr Nyarko said.

Former President Rawlings is in the media recently following reports that he had received $5 million from the then Nigerian President, Sani Abacha in 1998. Government functionaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) then put up strong defence; denying the allegation. 

Speaking to the Guardian Newspaper, Mr Rawlings insisted he was given a suitcase with only $2 million by Gwarzo, one of Mr Abacha's right hand men.

Click the audio above to listen to the interview between Mr Nyarko and Kwami Sefa Kayi, host of 'Kokrokoo'