SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives has fixed June 17 to 19 for the investigation of the Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, over allegations of expending over N10 billion on the charter of a private jet.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, made this known Thursday at a media briefing.
Mohammed, who is also a member of the Public Accounts Committee mandated to investigate the allegations against the minister also explained that the resolution of the House to resume investigation into the matter was informed by the legal advice it received from experts.
He said before the speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, directed the committee to continue with the probe, that his leadership had consulted widely before deciding to continue with the investigation
Zakari noted that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) saddled with the responsibility of investigating the allegations met on Wednesday and resolved to give all stakeholders adequate time to prepare before appearing at the investigation.
He disclosed that the committee has already received memoranda from whistle blowers as well as Jethanger and Vistajet and was poised to go the whole hog in unraveling the truth about the allegations.
“We want to dig into this issue and we are prepared. We are going the whole hog. I want to believe that all the stakeholders are responsible people and will surely cooperate with the committee. On our part, we will keep our eyes on the ball and not lose track”, he stated.
He explained that the judge of the Federal High Court where the minister’s suit is situated has already declared that he did not issue any order restraining the House from continuing with the investigation so there will be no excuse for those who refuse to appear before the investigation committee.
Commenting on the memo from the Ministry of Interior, alleging that there is a directive from the Presidency that all MDAs should receive clearance before divulging any information or attending invitation from the House, the House spokesman said the House was considering the matter and would decide on it next week.
He however explained that democracy thrives on the principle of separation of powers and as such, no one can prevent the legislature from discharging her responsibilities. According to him, “you cannot arm-twist a legislature from discharging its responsibilities. If an arm of government is insisting that it has to get clearance from the highest authority before honouring the House invitation, it amounts to coercing the legislature and we will not be coerced.”
It will be recalled that Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Wednesday directed the Public accounts committee to resume investigation into the N10 billion allegations after some weeks of confusion.
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