The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is threatening to sue the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for defamation. This was according to a series of tweets the Speaker posted on his official Twitter handle on Thursday.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, had a few days ago, notified Senator Godswill Akpabio that he could face litigation if he did not publish names of members of National Assembly that are alleged to be beneficiaries of most of the contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The Minister was given 48hours to respond to publish these names. But it is now three days, and no words from the Minister.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila taking to his official Twitter handle on Thursday 23rd July 2020, reminded the Minister and Nigerians of his 48hours ultimatum issued to the Minister and how that has elapsed, saying:
“Last Tuesday I issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to substantiate his allegation that over 60% (sixty per cent) of contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) went to members of the @nassnigeria
I said then that the Honourable Minister owed it to himself and the country to provide evidence to support these serious allegations. The Honourable Minister has failed to respond to my request.
Therefore, I must conclude that his statement intended solely to gaslight the nation to avoid accountability for the evident maladministration and malfeasance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),” he said.
The Speaker continued by adding that:
“I have held every @HouseNGR leadership position from Minority Whip, to Minority Leader, Leader of the House (Majority Leader) and now Speaker. I recognise that the House has not always lived up to the high expectations of the Nigerian people.
As much as we still have a lot to do in that regard, I refuse to sit here in good conscience and allow anyone to assassinate the character of the House in an attempt to deflect accountability for their conduct in office,” he added.
On the next step to be taken by the House after the failure of Senator Godwill Akpabio to publish names of alleged NDDC contract frauds, he said:
“This morning, I asked the Clerk of House of Representatives to engage the services of legal counsel, and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the Minister. At the same time, we will instruct counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit
The House of Representatives is a public trust placed in our care for the duration of our term in office. We must prove ourselves worthy of this public trust or risk the censure of history.
Therefore, we will resist every attempt to undermine this institution, whether such attempts come from within or from outside.
House of Representatives will live up to the highest expectations of the Nigerian people. This is our commitment, and we will not fail,” he added.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, has accused members of the National Assembly of being the beneficiaries of most of the contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Godswill Akpabio had said this when he appeared at the public hearing of the investigative panel at the house of representatives, which was set up to probe the corruption allegations against Akpabio and members of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC.
While responding to questions on the expenditure during this period of a forensic audit, he said you cannot close down the NDDC because of the security implication on the region.
He pointed out that those that have done jobs for the commission should be paid while revealing that members of the national assembly were the greatest beneficiaries.
The Minister had said: ‘’The NDDC plays a vital role in ensuring the peace and security of the region and 90% or more of the resources of the country come from there.’’
If you close it down in totality all you will have is chaos. You will have a lot of, not just militancy, you will have a lot of insurrection.’’
“So it is important that people who have gone to court, people who genuinely did jobs should be paid for their jobs. For me, I am not against it because, of course, who are even the greatest beneficiaries? It is you people.” he had said.
Speaker after watching the clip and getting the report, tweeted saying:
““I take these accusations very seriously & I would give the Minister 48 hours to publish the names, contracts, and dates and details members of National Assembly that they gave contracts to National Assembly members to, failing which the full wrath of the law will be applied,” he said.