The House of Representatives says it will investigate its ad hoc committee investigating organized crime in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) following an investigation by Newslodge, which exposed the panel for running an extortion ring.
A weeks-long investigation detailed abuse of the legislative institution by lawmakers, involving intimidation and extortion of money from MDA bosses.
The report provided bank details and names behind the business entity used by lawmakers to demand money from tertiary institutions in exchange for exemption from public scrutiny and humiliation.
Following outrage the report has generated among Nigerians, Chamber spokesman Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), in a statement on Tuesday, said that Chamber leaders had decided to look into the matter.
Mr. Rotimi’s statement did not provide specific details on how the Chamber intends to investigate the matter; Instead, he called for: “Members of the public and any affected government entities that have evidence related to the allegations, please approach the House for action.”
At the same time, Rotimi defended the committee by inferring that it is the victim of “unjustified attacks” due to the exercise it is conducting.
“The public is invited to become aware that after the very serious revelations that have arisen from the work of the aforementioned committee, which have been well publicized and televised, it would not be strange that they face unjustified attacks on their integrity. , individually and collectively, as a means to distract them.
“We want to reiterate that members of the House of Representatives will not be distracted from fulfilling their mandate enshrined in Section 89 of the 1999 Act, which gives the National Assembly powers to expose corruption for the good governance of Nigeria,” he said.
Committee denies “corruption label” and summons venture capitalists
Reacting to the Newslodge report, committee chairman Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) denied his involvement in the extortion ring, saying he never demanded money from any agency.
In a speech at the resumption of the hearing on Tuesday, Gagdi said the committee would not be deterred by any “statement” and vowed to conclude the investigation with a detailed report submitted to the House.
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“Nigerians have hope in this committee. The way we carry out the work of this committee, everyone sees what we are doing. We will not undertake to hide the irregularities that occur in the public service. No amount of statements indicting this committee will deter us. You may have your issue with one member of this committee, but don’t blackmail the entire committee,” he said.
Before adjourning the commission, Gagdi decided that heads of tertiary institutions would appear before the House on Friday.
He said the committee had planned to meet with the universities next week; however, due to the media report, they will meet with all the vice rectors on Friday.
He ordered the secretary of the committee to write a letter to the vice-chancellors through the National Commission of Universities (NUC).
“In view of the development that subsists, I believe that the secretary should summon the rectors to appear on Friday through the National Commission of Universities. We have to sit down on Friday. Let the letter reach the committee today. I want to personally sign the letter. So that some of these things can be done, as is typical of this committee, that we ask questions about what journalists are interested in hearing, ”he said.
The committee subsequently adjourned the session until Wednesday.
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Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; After the Newslodge report, the representatives decide to investigate the labor extortion committee