NDDC Scandal: Trouble for Akpabio As House Of Reps Take Legal Action, Initiate Criminal Perjury

By ABIODUN JIMOH

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio reputation is on the verge of collapse over his failure to substantiate allegations made against the National Assembly in respect of contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Akpabio defiance to adhere to the House order to forward names of members involved in the contracts scandal within 48 hours ultimatum has prompted the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to mandate the Clerk of the House of Reps to engage the services of legal counsel, and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the Minister.

This was made in known in a statement by the Speaker in response to the failure by the minster to substantiate his allegations, hereby at the same time instructed the counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against the minister.

The speaker said: “Last Tuesday, I issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to substantiate his allegation that over 60% of contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) went to members of the National Assembly.

“I said then that the Hon. Minister owed it to himself and the country to provide evidence to support these serious allegations.

“The Hon. 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).

“In my time in the House of Representatives, I have held every leadership position from Minority Whip, through to Minority Leader, Leader of the House 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.

“Such mendacity as was witnessed at the public hearing will not be tolerated from anybody no matter how highly placed.

“This morning, I asked the Clerk of the 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 against the minister.

“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. This House will live up to the highest expectations of the Nigerian people. This is our commitment, and we will not fail.

“Thank you. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”