Abdul-Rahman Abubakar
21 June 2008
As the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee charged with the responsibility of unearthing the whereabouts of trillions of naira sunk into the transport sector during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo without commensurate impact sets to begin its assignment, the Committee Chairman, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on any summoned personality who fails to appear before the panel.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Senator Lokpobiri said all those affected in the probe have been duly communicated and are expected to personally appear before the committee to provide information on the funds being investigated.
According to him, "the committee has sent out invitations to all those expected to appear before it and we will not hesitate to issue a warrant of arrest on any person who fail to comply."
Senator Lokpobiri also threatened to sanction some establishments that have not yet submitted information requested ahead of the hearing.
He also advised other officials in the transport sector who were not served with invitations to appear before the panel but who have useful information for the committee to come forward with such.
The probe which is to begin on June 23, 2008 is expected to reveal alleged reckless spending of public funds in the various aspects of the transport sector while former ministers of aviation, transportation and works in the Obasanjo government are to be key witnesses in the probe.
Among those expected to warm the witness seat at the probe are former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, who was alleged to have spent about N300 billion on roads maintenance.
Others to also appear before the panel include, Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, Dr. Kema Chikwe, Prof. Babalola Aborishade and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode all former Ministers of Aviation, to explain the spending of N19.5 billion Aviation Special Intervention Fund.
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