House of Representatives has resolved to sue Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for alleged perjury and defamation of the parliament.
Akpabio had on Monday, while appearing before the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission-NDDC at an investigative hearing, alleged that members of the National Assembly get 60 percent of contracts from the commission.
Akpabio while responding to questions during the investigative hearing said : “Who are the greatest beneficiaries? It’s you, people, now … I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts of NDDC are given to members of the National Assembly…The two chairmen can explain to you.”
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the leave of the House on Tuesday, had asked the minister to provide details of the contracts within 48 hours. At the opening of plenary today, Gbajabiamila announced that Akpabio had failed to meet the ultimatum issued to him, to prove his allegation.
The Speaker said he had consequently asked the Clerk to the House, Patrick Giwa, to meet their lawyers on the legal action against Akpabio.
MEANWHILE; The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has said that he never alleged that 60 per cent of contracts in the NDDC was awarded to lawmakers.
Akpabio who made the clarification in a letter addressed to the House of Representatives and read by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabimila at the plenary explained that the investigative committee did not allow him to explain what he meant when he made reference to 60 per cent contracts in the NDDC.
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According to him, the reference to 60 per cent during the investigative hearing was in answer to a question by a member of the committee as to whether or not, a medical doctor could act as Executive Director project which he answered in affirmative. Akpabio stressed that as a former Minority Leader of the 8th Senate, he shall forever hold the ideals of the National Assembly.
Written By Jane Uwa
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