Femi Gbajabiamila
BreakingTop StoryTrending Story

Nigerian House of Representatives presses perjury charge against Buhari’s minister 

283

 

Following the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum given a Minister to publish the names of NDDC contracts beneficiaries, the House of Representatives is heading to court to press perjury.

Peeved by the failure of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, to name lawmakers who he claimed got 60 per cent of NDDC contracts, the Speaker, Mr Femi Gbajabimila, a lawyer, has directed the Clerk of the House to engage the services of a legal counsel to file a suit of perjury against him.

PerSecondnews recalls that on July 21 the Speaker had issued a 48 hours deadline to Akpabio to publish the names of lawmakers and details of contracts awarded to them.

He gave the directive at the plenary on Thursday while reacting to the failure of the minister to substantiate his claims.

He recalled that the during the House Committee on NDDC public hearing on the alleged financial malfeasance amounting to N40 billion in the commission, Akpabio had said under oath that 60 per cent of contracts in the commission were awarded to lawmakers.

According to Gbajabiamila, the minister’s statement intends solely to “gaslight the nation from the maladministration and malfeasance in the NDDC”.

“I recognise that the House has not always lived up to the high expectations of the Nigerian people.

“As much as we still have a lot to do in that regard, I refuse to sit here in good conscience and allow anyone to assassinate the character of the House in an attempt to deflect accountability for their conduct in office.

“Such mendacity as was witnessed at the public hearing will not be tolerated from anybody no matter how highly placed.

“This morning, I asked the Clerk of the House of Representatives to engage the services of legal counsel, and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the Minister.

“At the same time, we will instruct counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against the Minister,” the Speaker said.

Gbajabimila noted that the House is a public trust placed in the care of lawmakers, stressing that they must prove worthy of this public trust or risk the censure of history.

Lawmakers will resist every attempt to undermine the institution, whether such attempts come from within or from outside, he vowed.

Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the House will live up to their expectations.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania Commit to $26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project

“The project, conceived in 2016 during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

Updated: Abuja Court grants N1.1 bln bail to 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N10 million bail...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Breaking: 10 fatalities confirmed as building collapses in Ibadan

A weehours building collapse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday...

Breaking: After five hours of screening, Senate confirms Bianca Ojukwu, six others as ministers

The Senate on Wednesday screened and confirmed the nominations of Ambassador Bianca...

Senate begins screening of seven ministerial nominees

The Senate has started screening the seven ministerial nominees of President Bola...

Alleged homosexuality: RCCG suspends two pastors, launches investigation

For allegedly breaching the church’s doctrine and the Holy Bible, two pastors...

Helicopter crash: NNPC Ltd. spokesman Soneye cancels golden jubilee birthday celebration in honour of departed souls

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National...

Biden in 30-minute phone call with Tinubu, hails Binance executive release

President Bola Tinubu and US President Joe Biden held a 30-minute phone...

Tinubu Receives Briefing on Local Currency Oil Sales Amid Pricing Disputes

President Bola Tinubu has received a briefing from the Implementation Committee on...

Kcee and Flavour engage in heated exchange over Igbo music style

The Nigerian music industry is once again witnessing a brewing fiery clash...

In Lagos, 150 Ajegunle widows, vulnerable lifted with food items, cash gifts

As part of efforts to provide succor and the much-needed support to...

Economic hardship: I’m not T-pain, you are mischievous, Tinubu replies Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under fire from the Presidency...

Just in: Air Peace denies plan to hike Lagos-Abuja airfare

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has dismissed rumours about raising...

Updated: Copter Crash: Search Still Ongoing, No Other Additional Bodies Found – NNPC Ltd’s Spokesman Soneyea

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd) has said beyond the...