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Rep Resigns Over N44m Bribe Allegation …As Speaker Vows To Fight Corruption
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, Rep. Herman Hembe (PDP-Benue), yesterday resigned his chairmanship of the committee over a N44 million bribery allegation.
It would be recalled that the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh last Thursday alleged that the committee demanded N44 million from the commission.
Hembe’s resignation came by way of motion which was unanimously adopted when put to vote by the Speaker AminuTambuwal.
Moving the motion, Hembe said he was resigning due to the weighty allegation against him and his committee.
He added that he took no bribe as alleged by the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh, but “ worked hard to avoid the offer of such” from the SEC DG.
The ethics committee of the House will nonetheless probe the allegation while the public hearing on the operations of the capital market would continue under an ad hoc chairman.
Hon Hembe had met with the leadership of the house over the weekend, insisting he never solicited N44 million as claimed by the DG.
Ms. Oteh alleged the demands – first for N39 million and later for N5 million – were made ahead of the ongoing capital market committee public hearing, and the funds were purportedly meant to finance the sitting. Public hearings are funded by the House, and under the sixth assembly, the figure averaged N5 million for each hearing.
The lawmaker said he never demanded for money from SEC, adding that rather he worked hard to resist any attempt by the committee to collect alleged money.
‘’ Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, I stand before you this morning to reaffirm my innocence, regarding the allegations made against me by the Director – General, SEC.
‘’ I want to be on record that I demanded no bribes and took no bribe, rather I fought hard and rebuffed efforts to be inappropriately influenced.In my innocence, however, I am aware of the impact of these allegation on public perception and as a legal practitioner I am conversant with the principle of law in the exercise of judicial or quasi- judicial functions.
‘’ It becomes inappropriate to continue to preside when allegation bordering on pecuniary interest are made against your person.’’
He said he was willing to submit himself to scrutiny by the EFCC and the ICPC.
‘’ I hereby reaffirm that position here and now, and add that I am further willing to submit myself to the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
‘’ Consequently, Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, I hereby wish to disqualify myself and request the House to withdraw the entire Committee from further conducting of the investigative hearing.
“I remain persuaded, however, that the resolution of this Honourable House to investigate the Nigerian Capital market, remain most honourable and timely and should be carried to its logical conclusion.’’
The lawmaker added that he reserved the right and liberty to go to court “not only to obtain a judicial stamp of my innocence but to receive full compensation for the obvious damage these spurious allegations have caused me.’’
Meanwhile, an eight- man Ad Hoc Committee has been constituted by the House to carry on with the public hearing.
This was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Ishaka Bawa (PDP-Taraba), the Chief Whip of the House, which was unanimously adopted.
Leading the debate, Bawa said that the public hearing on the Capital Market was stalled following an allegation and the voluntary withdrawal of the committee.
He called for the constitution of an ad hoc committee to carry out the probe into the collapse of the capital market.
The committee to be chaired by Rep. Ibrahim El – Sudi ( PDP – Tabraba ) is expected to report back to the House within 21 days.
Also the Committee on Ethics and Privileges is to report its findings to the House within 14 days on the alleged bribery.
Addressing members, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal assured Nigerians of the commitment of the House to fight corruption.
He said in trying to fight this war (corruption) ‘’ we must be above board and suspicion. I urged all Nigerians to continue to repose confidence in us as we are determined to fight corruption.’’
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Tanbuwal yesterday restated the commitment of the House in the fight against corruption.
Tambuwal gave the assurance at the plenary session while reacting to the resignation of Rep. Herman Hembe (PDP-Benue) as chairman of the Committee on Capital Market and the constitution of an ad-hoc committee.
“ Let me assure Nigerians once again that we are totally committed to the fight against corruption and shall deploy all energies at our disposal to fight this war.
“I wish to urge all Nigerians to continue to repose confidence in the seventh Assembly as we are determined to ensure that your trust is not abused.
“The House of Representatives will continue to be a bulwark against injustice and vanguard for the promotion of good governance and the defence of the interest, yearnings and aspiration of Nigerians.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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