Daily Independent (Lagos)
Alexandra Mede
5 November 2008
Abuja — Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Emmanuel Ayoola, has set up a panel to investigate the controversial purchase of vehicles at N2.3 billion by the House of Representatives.
The development was informed by a petition forwarded to the commission by Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civil rights non-governmental organisation.
According to a statement from ICPC's Resident Consultant on Media and Event, Folu Olamiti, the organisation had petitioned the ICPC on October 26 urging the anti-graft commission to probe the purchase of 380 cars by the House.
In the petition, SERAP requested ICPC to probe the allegations of corruption in the N2.3 billion vehicles deal.
The petition stated that the claims by the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited are suspect, adding that the commission should investigate whether the claims by PAN amounted to a cover-up.
According to Olamiti, the petition further requested the anti-corruption commission to make the findings of its investigation into the burning controversy public in order that the fears of the people may be allayed.
The human rights organisation also asked the commission to ensure the recovery of any money that is the subject of corruption and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice.
The leadership of the House of Representatives has been embroiled in a controversy of purchase of cars for committee members to carry out their oversight functions.
The heat of the controversy had led PAN to clear the air last week, claiming that the unit price of the brand had gone up after the demand for supply and added that the amount quoted excluded the cost of delivery and other sundry costs.
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