| N5.2bn power scam: EFCC
guns for more Reps
From JAMES OJO,Abuja
Friday, May 22, 2009
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•Photo:
Sun News Publishing |
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Indications emerged yesterday at the National Assembly that
more members of the House of Representatives, may soon walk
into the dragnet of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) over their roles in the Rural Electrification Agency
(REA) project scam.
Apart from the REA scam, it was confirmed that fresh contract
at the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for which
no fewer than eight members and principal officers have been
fingered is also rocking the House.
Three members of the House, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, chairman of
Committee on Power, his Deputy, Hon. Mohammed Jibo and chairman,
Rural Development are been detained in prison custody for
their alleged roles in the REA scam.
Daily Sun gathered that some companies used in the N5.3 billion
REA contracts have been traced to members, particularly in
the Power Committee and relatives of officers of the House.
The involvement of top officer’s relatives in the REA
contracts was confirmed by one of his core loyalists, who
though pointed out that the officer had been linked with the
scam.
“I am in a position to know if the officer has soiled
his hands. It is true that some of us were asked to bring
names of companies for contract jobs, but I know that not
many of us got a feedback that we won or not. If EFCC comes
after such a member, I think they are doing their job, I am
not afraid because I did not name any company for contracts,”
a member said on condition of anonymity.
Investigation, however, revealed that not all members that
submitted names of registered companies to the committee got
contracts.
Members, who got wind of the fresh clampdown by EFCC stayed
away from the chamber yesterday, as some showed up in their
offices and left immediately for unknown locations.
Although acting Clerk of the House, Niyi Ajiboye, said he
had not receive any correspondence from EFCC asking any members
to report to its office, he said he could not say if the Clerk
of the National Assembly, Alhaji Nasir Arab, has received
such letter of invitation.
“I have not seen any letter of invitation from EFCC
or any security agencies. If such letter has arrived NASS,
I have not seen it and CNA has not informed me,” he
said.
An EFCC source confirmed that letters of invitation had arrived
the National Assembly demanding for the release of some members.
The source would, however, not disclosed the numbers of members
that were involved.
Spokesman of EFCC, Femi Babafemi, was not categorical when
contacted late last night. He, however, said the REA matter
was an on-going process.
“All I can say now is that investigation of the REA
contracts is on-going. Anybody linked with it will be picked
up for interrogation.
“One thing that I can assure Nigerians is that the EFCC
of today under Mrs Waziri is different from EFCC of Ribadu.
Before we come after anybody, we must have concluded a thorough
investigation linking the person with any corrupt practice,”
he said.
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