Police comb Farouk Lawan’s home for $620,000 bribe cash

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation 

 

The police launched a search for the $620,0000 allegedly collected as bribe by Represenative Farouk Lawan from oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola, yesterday. 

For two hours, a team of policemen combed the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja residence of the suspended chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Ad hoc committee on Fuel Subsidy management, looking for the money which they intend to use as possible exhibit against him. 

His lawyers, Mr. Israel Olorundare  (SAN) and Mr.  Sam Ologunorisa (SAN) were not allowed to witness the search. 

Although it was evident that Lawan would spend the weekend in police custody, his lawyers remained hopeful of securing bail for him last night. 

It was gathered that Lawan was taken to his house for the search for the bribe money and other evidence. 

Only $10,000 was found during the search but it was not known whether it was part of the alleged bribe. Lawan is sticking to his resolve to make the money available only in court. 

The police seized his international passport. 

A reliable source said: “They brought the lawmaker from his detention cell in FCID in Area 10 to his residence in the morning for what they termed a‘comprehensive’ search. 

“It was obvious that they were looking desperately for bribe sum, having screened Lawan’s accounts and discovered that it was not deposited in any bank. 

“Throughout the interrogation, the lawmaker was adamant in not disclosing where the bribe sum was kept. He said since Otedola said it was a sting operation, the onus lies on those who conducted same to produce the bribe sum.” 

This did not stop the STF coordinator, CP Ali Amodu and his team from continuing with their questioning of Lawan at the Force Headquarters. 

A top police source said: “We are still investigating him; we are not in a hurry to release him on bail at all. He might be here till Monday or Tuesday when we would have finished our preliminary findings and submit a report to the IGP. 

“It is true we searched his house but we discovered that because of the time lag, he had taken time to clear his residence of vital evidence. 

“But we are exploring other clues. That is why we are detaining him till next week. Our target is to locate the bribe sum and retrieve it.” 

On the $10,000 found in the house, the police source said: “Even though we were looking for something bigger, like $1 million, we could only get $10,000 from his house. 

“We could not achieve much in getting the bribe sum because he came on his own. We did not surprise him. Police record more success with surprise search. 

“But we have seized his international passports. He cannot travel till we have concluded our investigation.” 

His lead counsel, Mr. Olorundare (SAN) said: “It is true they retrieved $10,000 from his house. And when Lawan was asked, he told the police ‘I travel a lot, even at short notice. You should expect me to have some money at home.’ 

“It was disappointing that the police told us at about 6 pm that they are not going to release him. They said they are still investigating the case. 

“We are surprised that they could do that. We hope that they will allow sanity to prevail. 

“But if they detain him beyond what is legally allowed within the law of the land, we will certainly go to court to secure bail for him. We insist that the offence is ordinarily bailable.” 

The lawmaker was returned to his cell at the Force CID Annex at Area 10 where some journalists were detained last year. 

“Lawan is sharing cell with other criminals in Area 10 Annex until he secures bail. He was really given a rousing welcome on Thursday night by those he met in detention. 

‘There are VIP, ECOMOG, ABUJA , and other types of cells in the annex.” 

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) was said to have written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday to take over the case and the prosecution of those found culpable in the bribery saga. 

The letter was delivered to the Chairman of ICPC, Barrister Nta Ekpo. 

“The offence falls within the purview of the ICPC Act, that is why the case has been referred to the agency,” a source familiar with the matter said. 

“The case file will certainly go to ICPC next week for prosecution of any suspect with prima facie case.” 

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ENYEAMA begs Nigerians

By The Nation: Patrick Ngwaogu

 

Vincent Enyeama

SUPER EAGLES’ stand-in captain Vincent Enyeama has apologised to Nigerians for the last second mistake that made the team to drop two points at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi on Saturday.
The goal kepeer who made some point blank saves in the game, was humbled for allowing the equalizer in the added time.
Enyeama, we gathered apologised to the players who were shading tears in the dressing room At the team's Protea Mount Boch hotel in Blantyre, the player who could not come to the reality that he costed the team the much needed away win which would have consolidated their leadership in the Group B of the World cup qualifier, was humbled that he could not come down from his room for dinner.
When he spoke at the airport, he was very apologetic to Nigerians, pleading for forgiveness "I know how Nigerians feel, I know they are not happy, I am not happy either. I ask for forgiveness, promising to work harder to ensure that such will not repeat itself”. He agreed that the three points would have consolidated their position on the group table, but that they would now have to work harder.

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Oyo sacks 3,000 workers for ‘fake certificates’, others

By The Nation: Reporter 

 

Ajimobi

The Oyo State Government yesterday sacked 3,000 of its workers for alleged certificate forgery, falsified ages, among others.
The government said the exercise would save the integrity of the service.
In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, by Dr Festus Adedayo, the Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the government explained that those affected are workers identified to have violated the rules of their engagement.
The offences, according to the government, range from falsified ages and certificates, discovery of ghost workers without letters of appointment and those who were retired but were still on government’s payroll.
The others, the government added, included workers who had outstanding disciplinary cases against them.
The Ajimobi administration said it inherited a staff rationalisation list from the former administration, which used a management consultancy, Captain Consultin, to audit the records of public and civil servants and their positions.
After the audit, the government said, the consultancy outfit came up with the list of workers who had violated their rules of engagement and presented same to the former government.
According to the government, the Ajimobi administration was urged to note that allowing indicted workers to stay in the service would affect the morale of workers with genuine documents.
It said the government was also advised to note that such stance, if it was taken, was against equity and fair play.
The statement said the government, therefore, gave the affected workers the rights to fair hearing and set up a panel to review the consultant’s reports.
The government added that it secured an indemnity from the consulting firm to ascertain that due process was followed in compiling the list of the affected workers.
According to the government, after painstaking verification of the consultant’s claims, many of the workers, who were exonerated by the panel, had their names struck out of the list of those to be packing.
“The Oyo State Government is committed to improving the lot of workers in the state. It has done this in the past one year by paying more attention to workers’ welfare and promotion as at when due. It will not, in the spirit of the new Oyo State, abet the continued service of workers who forged their certificates, ages or those who violated their rules of engagement, to stay a day longer in the workforce. It is like a cancer which, if not promptly checked, can eat up the whole of the system,” the statement said.
Ajimobi will today swear in 11 Permanent Secretaries who were recently promoted in the civil service.

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Rep Lawan faces suspension over alleged $3m susbsidy bribe

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli 

 

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

Barring last-minute change of mind, the House of Representatives will this week suspend its member who allegedly collected $620,000 from an oil baron to influence the report of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime. 
The House leadership has shown the video clip of the bribe saga to the Representative, who reportedly collected the crash at 4am.
The member, who initially denied collecting the bribe, was shocked to watch himself in the video which security agencies made available to the House leadership, it was learnt yesterday. 
But the plot by some forces in government to use the scandal to remove Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has backfired as members have resolved to stand by him, having been satisfied that the leadership was not involved in the scandal. 
The Nation learnt that after the scandal broke, the House leadership summoned the concerned Representative to hear his own side of the story. 
The Representative stood his ground that he did not collect any bribe from the oil magnate as alleged. 
Following his insistence, the House leadership decided to play the video tape of how the deal was struck and how money exchanged hands. 
A source in the House said: “You need to get the records straight. The bribe was actually collected at about 4am in the oil baron’s home in Maitama. The Representative had fixed an appointment for 1am but he got to the place at 4am in a white kaftan. He got $500,000 that early hour of the day. 
“Later, the committee’s secretary returned to the oil magnate’s house at about 7.30pm to collect $120,000, which was later handed over to the Representative. 
“The airport connection came a few days later when the Representative asked for the balance of the agreed $3million. The oil magnate said they should meet at the airport in Abuja because he won’t be able to carry such a huge sum to his house. 
“At the appointed time, the Representative offered to send a third party to the airport but the oil baron rejected the arrangement. Security agents had laid siege to the House member’s residence to track his movement to the airport but he stayed indoors that day.” 
Asked how the deal came about, the source added: “What happened was that the oil baron approached security agents; who made the marked notes and pen camera available to record the bribery saga. 
“Before the bribe deal became public knowledge, the Speaker was shown the video clip by security agencies.” 
A House source also gave account of how the leadership has been managing the crisis in the last few weeks. 
He said when the Representative was adamant, the leadership showed him the tape on how he got the bribe - as made available by relevant security agencies. 

“He was dumbfounded that he was recorded by the oil baron. It was at that point that he told the House leadership that he was merely playing along with the oil baron,” the source said, adding: 
“But members queried why he refused to alert the House leadership if he was playing along and why he kept the cash for 60 days and only made it available when the scandal burst.” 
The source also claimed that the leadership rejected moves by the Representative to lay the money on the table before the House went on recess. 
A principal officer said: “When he brought the money in a Ghana-Must-Go bag to lay it on the table, we all resisted it because the allegation is more of an individual challenge than the entire House. 
“The Speaker and House leadership insisted that it would not allow the chamber to be returned to an era of laying bribe money on the floor without evidence to prove it. 
“The member in question has been asked to go and defend the allegation against him instead of dragging the House into it.” 
The House leadership has decided to suspend the Representative to underscore its commitment to probity. 
Yet another House source said: “We have reached a conclusion to suspend the member when we resume. This will enable him to clear his name on the allegation against him. 
“He will also use the period of the suspension to attend to security agencies and legal issues that might arise from this bribery allegation.” 
Meanwhile, a fresh plot to unseat the Speaker as a result of the bribery allegation has failed. 
Members of the House have decided to stand by the Speaker, having discovered that he was not in any way connected to the bribery. 
An influential member of the House said: “When the scandal was uncovered, most members took turns to challenge the Speaker on what he knew about it but he said he was never in the picture. 
“We also conducted independent investigation and we realised that the Speaker and the entire House leadership are above board. You know, Tambuwal is a contented person. 
“So, when some forces in government attempted to capitalise on this latest bribe saga to get at the Speaker and his team, we decided to stand by him. 
“The truth is that we will resist any move to remove the Speaker over this allegation. We are building a consensus on this. The real target is the Speaker but those plotting missed the point as they did not know that the alleged bribe-taker is not a member of the inner caucus. 
“Actually, having known the antecedents of the Representative, the Speaker had kept him at arm’s length but he has been treating him equally with others. 
“The same Representative was closer to a former Speaker of the House, Alhaji Aminu Masari, but he was one of those who blew the alleged certificate scam against the ex-Speaker. 
“This Representative has always been associating with those in government; he does not belong to the inner caucus or think-tank of the Speaker. So, those thinking that they could use this to deal with the Speaker have failed.” 
Some forces said to be against the affected Representative chose to set him up as a result of the fall-out of the election of the Speaker for the 7th House of Representatives last year, it was learnt. 
The Representative was allegedly engaged by some forces in government to mobilise members against the election of Tambuwal as the Speaker. 
It was gathered that while the embattled Representative was given N200million by some anti-Tambuwal forces in government, his co-coordinator got N100million. 
But the bribed lawmaker reneged on the assignment and voted for Tambuwal without returning the N200million. 
A source said: “This is a pay-back time for him from some forces in government. The man who collected N100million to mobilise House members against Tambuwal declared it but this Representative facing the heat never declared his own share of N200million. 
“In fact, after voting for Tambuwal, he openly slighted a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Dem.

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Another bloody Sunday

By The Nation: Yusufu Aminu Idegu and Marie-Therese Nalong 

 

A victim of the bomb explosion at Christ Chosen Church of God, Rukuba, Jos at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos…yesterday

•Five killed in attack on Jos church, reprisal •Two dead in Borno •Pastor, wife, two children, 48 others injured in suicide bombing

It was another bloody Sunday yesterday. No fewer than seven persons died —  many were injured  — in attacks on two churches during service.
The nation is still mourning  the death of no fewer than 153 people in the Dana Air plane crash in Lagos on June 3. Also on that day, 14 people were killed in an attack on two churches in Bauchi.
In Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday’s suicide attack was the third on worshippers since January.
The second attack was at the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria in Biu, 180 kilometres to Maiduguri,  the Borno State capital.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman Lt. Victor Ebhaleme told AFP on the telephone in Maiduguri that two people died and an unspecified number injured during the attack in Biu. Borno State Police Commissioner Bala Hassan said one person died and three others were injured. 
Hassan said the police had made appreciable progress in the investigation of the attack by “four young men’’ on Ekkilizia Yanuwa A Nigeria (EYN) Church on Gombe -Biu road. The police chief told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his command had tightened security in vulnerable areas and would continue to do its best to ensure the safety of lives and property. 
“The attack on the church on Gombe-Biu Road happened around 9 a.m when four young men fired at a church during which one person died and three others were injured. 
“The attackers fled shortly after, but the police recovered a pistol, one of the weapons used during the attack,’’ Hassan said. 
Only on Friday, a suicide bomber rammed his car into the barricaded portion of the command’s headquarters in Maiduguri. Five persons died; 12 were injured. The dead are a policeman, three civilians and the suicide bomber
The suicide attack on worshippers at the Christ Chosen Church of God (CCCG) on Rukuba Road in Jos and the reprisal that followed led to the death of no fewer than 10 people, including the suicide bomber.
Over 50 worshippers have been killed in the three attacks on churches so far.
Source said the original target of the suicide bombers was ECWA Church located about 50 meters away from CCCG, but there was a security check point before their target. The bombers diverted the explosives to the CCCG Church. The explosives, apparently, was timed.
The church building came down on about 200 worshippers.
Witnesses said many people, including the suicide bomber, died.
Mr Manasseh Pampe, a senior official of the Red Cross Society, told NAN that it was difficult to ascertain the figure as yet.
An eyewitness, Mr Richard Jonah, said the bomber entered through the church gate after deceiving the security personnel that he was a member coming for service.
Jonah said the suicide bomber, who drove a Volkswagen Golf saloon car, posed as a member of the church and was admitted to the premises by the security personnel.
“But, immediately he entered into the premises, he drove straight into the church building and hit the structure with the bomb-laden vehicle while the second service was still going on,’’ he said.
An official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Tajudeen Olanrewaju, also declined to be specific on the casualty figure.
“As you can see, we are still evacuating those injured to hospitals. For now, we cannot give you any clear figure,’’ he said.
Pastor Monday Uzoka of CCCG, his wife and two children are among the 52 victims of the suicide attack.
A NAN correspondent, who visited the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), was told by medical personnel that Uzoka and another church elder were in “very critical situation”.

The rest of the 50 victims were on admission at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH).
Mrs. Maria Goni, BUTH’s Director of Nursing Services, said the duo were transferred to JUTH “because they were in a serious condition and in dire need of surgery”.
“Right now, we have 50 persons on admission in our hospital. In fact, we are still counting and may have more. When we are through with counting, we shall know the exact figure we have.
“We have people with orthopeadic and laceration cases among others, but we are doing our best to treat them,” she said.
She said no death had so far been recorded among the victims brought to the hospital.
The Red Cross International and the government of Plateau State had rendered help in the provision of drugs and other consumables.
Among the victims were the elderly, women and children, who suffered various degrees of injuries from the blast.
One of the victims, Mrs. Esther Emmanuel, 35, said that four of her children -  Chigozie (11), Victor (3), Ikechukwu (8) and Chidinma (12) were also on admission. 
Another victim, Mrs. Mercy Francis, 45, said her six-year-old daughter, Blessing, had “disappeared” during the blast and called on the authorities to help locate her. 
“That is the only daughter I have. Please, tell them to help me to trace her where ever she may be, especially since I can’t get another child like her at my age now,” Francis cried out.
Soon after the blast, youths went violent. Security agencies were denied access to the scene. The angry youths prevented also  journalists from getting to the scene. They came out in their thousands to barricade the road leading to the scene.
A Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) crew, which made efforts to get to the scene, was attacked by the angry youths.
Security agencies rescued a team of journalists from been lynched. The NTA vehicle was vandalised by the hoodlums.
A Channels Television reporter, Yemi Kosoko, and his cameraman, John Farinola, also escaped attack. Journalists converged on the state headquarters of the police in protest.
Police chief Emmanuel Oladipo Ayeni said: “Information reached my office at about 11am that there was a suicide bombing at Christ Chosen Church of God (CCCD). I immediately led a team of my men to the scene for rescue operation.
“On reaching there, we saw no death, although the entire church building collapsed. We evacuated the injured worshippers, 42 of them, to the hospital. We took 36 injured victims to Bingham University teaching Hospital (BUTH) and we took six others to the Plateau Specialist Hospital.
“There were two deaths around the premises and we are yet to ascertain what killed them. I hope investigation will reveal soon what caused their death, but I can confidently tell you that the explosion did not kill anyone apart from the suicide bomber.”
When asked why the security agencies’ strategies to forestall another suicide bombing in Jos could not stop the attack, Ayeni said: “Look my friend, it is difficult for security agencies to checkmate a suicide bombing attack because the attackers have already committed their lives to death and they can do anything to succeed. This particular attack could not be prevented because the church is located by the road side, which made it impossible for the church to block the road completely.
“This is not to say there was leakage in the security strategies we adopted after the last two suicide bombings; our strategies are fool-proof, but now that they have done this, we will know what to do next.”
“But I will confirm to you that this attack is a failed one because it did not result in death of any of the worshippers; there were only injuries and that shows our strategies are working. This kind of attack is a new challenge and we will tackle it as it comes,” said Ayeni.
On the allegation that the suicide bomber’s vehicle was led by a Hilux belonging to STF, the police commissioner said: “I also heard of this same rumour, no one can say the rumour is true or false, but investigation will confirm it. The security agencies have already swung into action and the result surrounding this attack will be made public soon.
The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis confirmed the attack but was silent on the allegation against it men.  The STF said the attack by hoodlums following the suicide bombing led to the death of four motorcycle riders.
STF spokesman, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, who signed the statement, said: “About four cyclists were killed and their motorcycles burnt along Rukuba road close to the scene of attack.”
The state government spoke of its pain whenever its citizens are subjected to pains of this nature.
Commissioner for Information Yiljap Abraham, said: “Government is again thrown into grief. This is so painful because the Plateau State government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has put in place all that is needed to prevent bloodshed in this state.
“This is another challenge and I’m sure the security will do their best to rise up to the challenges.
Yiljap expressed the government sympathy with victims of the attack.

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Blast occurred after prayers against untimely death, says witness

By The Nation Reporter 

Mrs. Josephine Jacobson, a 63-year-old Deaconess of the Christ Chosen Church of God, said the suicide attack occurred just after the congregation had finished prayers against “untimely death”.
Mrs. Jacobson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital that she saw the car when it rushed into the church premises while she was sitting at the altar.
“I was wondering who could be driving into the premises with such a speed but before I knew it, I just heard a bang and saw that the roof of the church had come down on us.
“It was then that I realised we have been hit by suicide bomber.”
According to her, the blast occurred just after the congregation had finished a prayer session against “untimely death”. 
“Actually, we have never prayed like that before. Our pastor had barely asked us to sit down quietly for his sermon when the incident happened. It was by sheer providence that I am alive today,” the Deaconess said. 
Another victim, Mr Odey Randy, said that he saw when the suicide bomber’s car entered the church before explosive went off. 
“I was just passing by in the front of the church on my way to buy something in a shop when the blast occurred,” he said. 
Randy, who was hit on his right leg, spoke to NAN at the hospital while waiting for doctors to attend to him.
“I saw the car rushing into the church. It was a Toyota Corolla saloon, but the blast went off just early enough to affect me.
“I didn’t suspect that the car belonged to a suicide bomber. I just thought it was driven by one of the church members rushing in to meet up with the service.”
Sympathisers and relations besieged BUTH in search of loved ones admitted after the bomb attack.
The crowd at a time became uncontrollable, forcing the hospital management to barricade the entrance of one of the wards.
“You people are making things so difficult for us in this place. Please, kindly leave the veranda of this ward and stay outside to enable us to attend to you loved ones“ a nurse, who gave his name as Sam, pleaded.
When the crowd refused to heed the plea, the nurse called in one of the senior nurses, who mobilised some of the attendants to force the sympathisers to give way.
As soon as they moved out of the way, the entrance to the ward was barricaded.
At that point, the people besieged the windows of the ward to look through and also talk to their loved ones on admission.
Mrs Maria Goni, Director, Nursing Services, said that the hospital had to control the crowd because of the risk of having too many people inside the ward.
“Besides, the victims need not be disturbed in view of their conditions,’ ‘she said.

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Kidnapped ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Obodo rescued by police

By Shola O'neil

 

Obodo

...No ransom paid

The Delta State Police Command on Sunday night carried out a commando-style operation that led to the release of ex-Super Eagles and Udinese of Italy midfielder, Mr. Christian Obodo, from kidnappers den in Isoko area of the state.

Obodo was seized by a four-man gun-totting gang in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state on Saturday morning.

He was kidnapped in front of a church, Zion Prayer Ministry, where he had gone to worship in his Bentley Continental car marked Obodo 5.

Although the circumstances surrounding his release remained hazy at press time last night, it was gathered that policemen acting on tip-off stormed the hideout of the hoodlums in the area.

His kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of about N28million for his freedom.

However, it was gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan led a top security meeting on Saturday during which the Commissioner of Police in the state was directed to ensure Obodo's release without negotiation with the hoodlums.

Consequently, it was gathered that the hideout of the hoodlums was stormed in Emevor, Isoko South LGA, where he was released.

Our source said at least eight persons were arrested in connection with the kidnap.

The Press Secretary to the Mr. Amaju Pinnik, Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Timi Ebikagboro, confirmed the report, adding that he was on his way to Warri at 9:30pm when this report was being put together.

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ALLEGED $3BILLION BRIBE: Oil baron gave Rep $600,000 at Abuja airport

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi 

 

Chairman Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Hon. Lawan

• Security agencies retrieve call logs, transcripts • Allegation no excuse to dump fuel subsidy report –House

The $600000 alleged bribe given to a key figure in the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Probe by an oil magnate is now said to have been handed over to him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja .
The money was supposed to be the first instalment of the $3million allegedly offered to be paid by the oil magnate ostensibly to compromise the work of the committee.   
Already, security agencies have retrieved the call logs of the committee member and the businessman described as one the largest donors to the campaign fund of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
Following the high-level of confidential data in the custody of the embattled committee member, a senior government official and some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been talking to him to keep quiet with a view to foreclosing a probe into the scandal.
The man at the centre of the scandal, sources said yesterday, is contemplating opening up on what transpired between him and the oil magnate.
The Representative is said to have been angered by what he sees as a plot to rubbish his hard-earned integrity.
Some members of the Ad Hoc Committee are equally angry with their colleague for his conduct in the matter and may address the press to give their own account of the situation.
The House of Representatives officially opened up last night on the alleged scam and declared that while it would not condone corruption among members, the scam should not be used as an excuse by the executive to discard the report of the ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy.
It said the recommendations contained in the report should be implemented to the letter. 
A member of the Ad Hoc Committee told The Nation on Sunday that the alleged bribe was offered to the Representative at the airport.
The source said: “We have discovered that the oil baron doled out the $600,000 at the Abuja Airport. We were shocked about how the deal was done. But no member of the committee was in the picture until last week when it became an issue in the House. Let the whole world know that members of the committee did not know about the deal.
“This is why it was painful to us when senior government official and top officers of the PDP came to the House to meet with us to conceal it. They were behaving as if it was the government that sent the oil magnate to offer the bribe to the key figure in our committee.
“It is unfortunate that we are all bearing the brunt of this bribe saga. We will not give up we are certainly ready to address the press on this matter.”
Another member of the House chipped in: “To worsen the matter, a top government official, who had played a crucial role in the Senate in the past, came to douse the tension in the House over the matter. The PDP leadership also intervened.
“Then, we became curious about their business in this matter. They said the affected oil baron is very close to the government and he had donated to the PDP presidential campaign in 2011.”
It was gathered that security agencies are already in possession of the call logs of the giver and taker of the $600,000.
“The issue has attracted security concern. The call logs of the two actors have been retrieved for insight into how the deal was struck,” a highly placed source said yesterday. In the next few days, the nation will hear much about this matter because it is already in the public domain.”
The embattled coordinating member of the House Ad Hoc Committee may on his own, open up on the scandal to save his image.
A principal officer of the House said: “I think we have reached a stage where the affected committee member may speak out. He has repeatedly maintained that he got the bribe money to serve as evidence.
“Do not forget that even when the committee was sitting, he had repeatedly raised the alarm that there were attempts to either bribe or scandalize him.
“So, he has a lot to tell the nation too. But the PDP leadership is asking him to keep quiet.”
The House of Representatives through the Chairman of its Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Muhammed, officially reacted yesterday.
Mr. Muhammed, in a statement said: “The attention of the House of Representatives has been drawn to reports alleging that one of its members, has in the course of his committee work as a member of the ad hoc committee which investigated the subsidy regime, allegedly received a gratification from an oil baron to exonerate his companies from complicity in the oil subsidy scam.
  “While we await investigation into these weighty accusations, we wish to state without equivocation that this House will never take sides with corruption and we will always stand on the side of the rule of law.
 “The reason we inaugurated the ad hoc committee to look into the controversial subsidy regime in the first place was to expose corruption in the sector, as such, we cannot, for whatever reason, support any underhand dealing from any quarter.
 “However, these accusations, whatever their merits, do not detract from the quality of the work done by the committee. The report of that committee was adopted by the whole House and we stand by the resolutions of the House.
  “The present House of Representatives will not relent in its efforts to render quality legislation and oversight functions to Nigerians. Today, we are gradually beginning to see the end of this monstrosity that has bedevilledSTO our progress as a nation for so long.
“We hope that the Executive will not, because of this allegation, abandon its commitment towards bringing to justice, the culprits already identified in the committee’s report.”

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BREAKING NEWS: Terrorists hit churches in Jos, Biu

By Agency Reporter 

 

 The scene of the suicide blast in Jos, Plateau State, on Sunday. Photo:Saharareporters.

Militants attacked two churches in Jos and Biu on Sunday, spraying the congregation of one with bullets and blowing up a car in a suicide bombing at the other,  witnesses told Reuters.
There was no immediate word on casualties and no claim of responsibility, although attacking churches has become a trademark tactic of Islamist group Boko Haram which is fighting to reinstate an ancient caliphate in northern Nigeria.
"Three gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings ... Many people have been killed and wounded," said witness Hamidu Wakawa, who was at the church in Biu Town, Borno State.
In Jos, a man drove a car to the entrance of the Christ Chosen Church and then blew it up, said Emmanuel Davou, 53, who lives nearby.
Police were unable to give immediate details on either attack.
Moments after the suicide bombing in Jos, Christian youths set up roadblocks and had to be dispersed by police.
"Angry youths have gone wild, even attempting to prevent the security personnel from getting to the scene of the incident. They had to force their way out by shooting in the air to disperse them," said Davou.
Boko Haram has been blamed for hundreds of killings in bomb or gun attacks over the past two years.
It usually targets security forces, although Christian worshippers are increasingly bearing the brunt.
Last Sunday, a suicide car bomber killed at least 12 people at a church in the remote town of Yelwa, Bauchi State.

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