Tashikalmah Hallah and Francis Okeke
18 November 2008
The man alleged to be the arrow head of opposition against Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Rep Independence Ogunewe (PDP, Imo) has called for a full scale probe into N2.3 billion car purchase by the House of Representatives.
This is just as lawyer Festus Keyamo told newsmen that the Ethics and Privileges Committee investigating the allegation has derailed whilst calling for its dissolution, saying it had outlived its usefulness.
Independent Ogunewe, whose name featured prominently in allegations through leaflets and presentations submitted to the Ethics and Privileges Committee by civil societies, insisted that attempts to downplay the investigation must be resisted.
The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges is currently probing transaction following allegations by a Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo that the House leadership shortchanged Nigeria in the procurement of the said cars.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission are also investigating the claims.
A human rights activist, Umar Farouk, alleged four members of the House offered him one million naira to mount a campaign against Bankole. Two members Gbenga Oduwaiye (PDP, Ogun) and Festus Adegoke (PDP, Oyo) also named as co-conspirators in the plot to unseat Bankole had threatened court action against Farouk for linking them to the plot.
A statement signed by Ogunewe and made available to pressmen yesterday said that people in the vanguard for accountability and probity are being targeted by a certain group in the House.
"It does appear that there are desperate and wicked forces targeting any person or persons who stand on the path of truth.
"These desperate forces will stop at nothing to muzzle, intimidate, malign, harass, blackmail, discredit and disparage any perceived or imagined "enemy" of the system.
He added that no amount of intimidation or blackmail would stop him in what he calls the bid to enthrone openness in the affairs of the House
"However, may I reiterate that no amount of threat, blackmail, intimidation or smear campaign will deter me from treading the path of honour.
"The various strange text messages and phone calls that I have received even at odd hours since the issue of the contract saga in the House came into the public domain point to the fact that I am indeed a "marked" figure.
"But not for any reason I can think of except for the fact that I have also maintained in the present circumstance that there must be a full scale and unfettered investigation and full disclosure into the car purchase saga, and other sundry procurements, and that there should not be any attempt to cover-up or play down the entire saga.
Speaking on claims by Umar Farouk that a series of meetings were held in his house and other places, Ogunewe maintained that "it was a tissue of lies."
"This so called activist claimed to have also held series of meetings in my house in Maitama. I do not have any house in Maitama, whether owned or rented.
"I never offered anybody including this fellow any money or inducement for the purpose of smearing the Speaker or the entire House of Representatives by way of Press interviews or circulation of leaflets as claimed by him.
"This fellow said he held meetings with me in my residence at Apo Legislative Quarters and my office in the National Assembly. The above addresses are public knowledge and as a public officer, my office and residence are open to all manner of visitors.
"I have no personal relationship with any Governor from the South West as he claimed in his presentation to the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the House."
"It is now obvious that this same Umar Farouk must have been behind the circulation of the vexatious leaflets; he even claimed to have produced some for me.
"It is clear enough that this Umar Farouk is a self-confessed professional blackmailer. Could he have been retained by some forces to discredit those who insist that all transactions in the House must be open and transparent? Ogunewe asked.
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