Even as the dust raised by the alleged $3 million bribery scandal in the House of Representatives is yet to settle, another storm is already raging in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigation into an alleged strange massive cash withdrawals running into N1.5 billion from the House accounts.
Saturday Sun exclusively gathered that the fresh scandal has already led to the invitation and interrogation of about four officials of the National Assembly.
Saturday Sun exclusively gathered that the fresh scandal has already led to the invitation and interrogation of about four officials of the National Assembly.
Competent sources in EFCC told Saturday Sun that the Bank Fraud unit of the EFCC, which is located in Garki area of Abuja, is investigating the fraud case, which is being treated as “criminal conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.”
The sources confirmed that about four officials so far interrogated over the matter were allegedly used severally to pull out the cash from the House bank accounts “because the cheques were written in their names to cash the huge funds from some banks in Abuja.”
According to a member of the investigating team, who pleaded for anonymity, “the funds were actually withdrawn over a period of time, especially in the last quarter of 2010 and they were withdrawn by some officials in the speaker’s office in millions. For instance, you see junior officers withdrawing millions of naira. In a particular case, a junior officer was asked to withdraw N10 million from Oceanic Bank in August and same person was also asked to withdraw another N20 million from a GT bank account in November same year.”
“In fact, we are also looking into other allegations that one of the officials who is still young in public service has about three estates in Abuja alone and recently went to take a bride in Egypt. We will try to establish his sources of funds and see whether there is a link between the huge cash withdrawals in his name and his expenditures.”
A member of the House who do not want his name mention believes the executive is trying to rubbish the House of Reps because of its decision to always stand on the side of Nigerians.
The sources confirmed that about four officials so far interrogated over the matter were allegedly used severally to pull out the cash from the House bank accounts “because the cheques were written in their names to cash the huge funds from some banks in Abuja.”
According to a member of the investigating team, who pleaded for anonymity, “the funds were actually withdrawn over a period of time, especially in the last quarter of 2010 and they were withdrawn by some officials in the speaker’s office in millions. For instance, you see junior officers withdrawing millions of naira. In a particular case, a junior officer was asked to withdraw N10 million from Oceanic Bank in August and same person was also asked to withdraw another N20 million from a GT bank account in November same year.”
“In fact, we are also looking into other allegations that one of the officials who is still young in public service has about three estates in Abuja alone and recently went to take a bride in Egypt. We will try to establish his sources of funds and see whether there is a link between the huge cash withdrawals in his name and his expenditures.”
A member of the House who do not want his name mention believes the executive is trying to rubbish the House of Reps because of its decision to always stand on the side of Nigerians.
“I believe there is more to this sudden focus on the House by agents of the executive. It is beyond a coincidence that one scandal keeps breaking after another as if the House is the only organ of government where these things happen. We believe they are deliberate and targeted,” he said.
Dat House seems to be more curropt than the presidency. I hope Nigerians now know that Jonathan is better than Tambuwal and co?
ReplyDeleteHon. Tony
All the house scandal is migger I hope u knw and in 2010 Tambuwal was not in power I hope u are awere of malabu scandal of over N150bn which jona is the oga
DeleteIf house withdraw money from their bank account, i dnt tink is a crime. There are lookin for away to remove speaker, but it wil not work.
ReplyDeleteAll three arms of government are corrupt but the Presidency is using its agencies to attack the House of Reps because they are independent.
ReplyDeleteJULIUS
I'm begging to doubt if Tambuwal and Emeka have what it required to the pilot the affairs of the 7th House of Reps without all these dramas of scandal here and there. There seems to be leadership deficiency in that House.
ReplyDeleteThey have the right to spend their money as they wish.
ReplyDelete/Danmalik
Dis story is no story and it's just 2 divert our attention far away 4rm d house resolution on subsidy reports and others which will indict PDP and their election sponsors. Nigerians can't be deceived with dis cheap propaganders becs even a fool among learners here knws dat fund in d house account are meant 4 d day 2 day running of d house and nt 4 governance. We are wise 2 know dat if executive is nt curupt, oda arms side is a small isue. D allocation of one ministry under executive is more than dat of d house. D ministers are chopping our real governance money with president and we are going no where except if dis is checked. Let's reason beyond our nose and be wise 2 neglect useless propaganda.
ReplyDeleteThe executive arms wouldn't want their shrine master-OBJ to be rediculed by the Nigerian House of Comedy as the executive's chief priest was invited to cleanse his name under the garvel's drama hut by naming them some of their deserved names. But that shouldnt vitiate the fact that a crime is a crime no matter how you justify it!- Agu Cross
ReplyDelete@ Julius and Danmalik u hav understood everything. D presidency is nt hapy as house stand 2 be independent. But everyone here knows dat they can withdraw their money anytime either 4 sitting allowance or whatever
ReplyDelete@ muyiwa,don't mind them, D presidency is nt hapy as house stand 2 be independent. But everyone here knows dat they can withdraw their money anytime either 4 sitting allowance or whatever
ReplyDeleteThey can withddraw money as they like abi?then let keep watching if it was legal withdrawer or illegal withdrawer?
ReplyDeletePlease please let hear something better from this one-sided and myopic reasonings and conclusions.which executive is envying the independence of the house?who approves loot in the arm of the executive?who passes the budget from the other two arms?who elects committe heads in the lower chambers?did the executive under duress initiates collection of bribe or lobbying in the lower chambers,lets call a spade a spade iam corrupt,you are corrupt and we love corruption simple.
ReplyDeletePlease please let hear something better from this one-sided and myopic reasonings and conclusions.which executive is envying the independence of the house?who approves loot in the arm of the executive?who passes the budget from the other two arms?who elects committe heads in the lower chambers?did the executive under duress initiates collection of bribe or lobbying in the lower chambers,lets call a spade a spade iam corrupt,you are corrupt and we love corruption simple.
ReplyDeleteFidelis achu
calabar.
When Will Obasanjo 19Billion power contract be probed? And u ppl r here shouting!
ReplyDeleteCorruption is corruption if they use the money in the house account illegally but I am certain that the head government is not looking for the interest of the masses but to cover it's almost naked ass.OBJ is the father of corruption and his boy GEJ is doing very well I hope no one argues that OBJ himself is not a part of the cabal and showing his boy the road to complete his 4 years.PDP is the problem we have since the independent i hope Nigerians realize that.
ReplyDelete