News
$620,000 Bribery Probe: Otedola Declines Comments Before Committee
Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Femi Otedola, yesterday stunned members of the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges when he refused to speak to the committee behind closed doors as he appeared before it in furtherance of the $620,000 bribery allegation against Hon. Farouk Lawan, former Chairman of the House adhoc committee probing the oil subsidy regime.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Gambo Musa who briefed newsmen after about an hour with Mr. Otedola confirmed that he refused to talk to members of the committee.
According to Gambo , Otedola also refused to respond to numerous questions put to him regarding the bribery allegation.
Hon Gambo who could not hide his anger told newsmen that the attitude of Mr. Femi Otedola would not deter the committee from carrying out its assignment of unravelling the circumstances that to led to the bribery allegation.
The Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Limited, arrived for the committee’s investigation at exactly 1.50pm with 10 aides including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and kept smiling during the preliminary interactions.
However, when the Chairman of the Committee told newsmen to leave the committee room after a brief remarks, one of Otedola’s aides released a statement by his boss, indicating that he was not willing to talk unless the investigation was conducted in public.
The statement dated July 3rd, 2012 reads in part, “this is a matter that has generated a lot of public interest and controversy, the House of Representatives Committee on the Management of Fuel Subsidy headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan held its sittings in public”.
“When this issue arose, the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges publicly stated that its investigations would be held in public. It is ‘therefore, surprising and curious that this committee has made a u-turn to hold its investigative sittings in camera particularly in the light of unfolding events.
“I strongly believe that the interest of the public will not be served if this investigation is held in camera.”I have nothing to hide and will only speak on this issue when this investigation is conducted in a very transparent manner and the press as well as the general public are allowed to be present at the sittings of this committee from the beginning of its investigation to its conclusion,” the statement added.
Hon. Farouk Lawan who Otedola accused of collecting the sum of $620,000 out of the sum of $3 million he demanded to remove Zenon Oil and Gas Limited from the list of companies indicted in the fuel subsidy fraud was last week grilled for four hours by the Ethics and Privileges Committee behind closed doors.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi,Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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