Reps reply Clark, challenge NDDC to prove corruption allegations

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, challenged the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission to substantiate with proof its allegations that the National Assembly is frustrating its activities.

Chairman, House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his reaction to a petition filed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ijaw National Congress, Chief Edwin Clark, dared the commission’s management to petition the anti-graft agencies with evidence that he or other members of his panel are corrupt.

Clark had petitioned the National Assembly, demanding the removal and investigation of the chairmen of its committees in charge of the NDDC probe.

The Ijaw elder statesman had in an ‘open letter’ dated June 1, 2020, urged the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to remove the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi; and House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and to also investigate the allegations of corruption levelled against them by the NDDC Interim Management Committee.

On May 5, the two chambers of the National Assembly had separately resolved to investigate the alleged N40billion extra-budgetary spending by the NDDC.

But in his reaction to Clark’s letter, Tunji-Ojo dismissed the allegations as untrue, challenging NDDC management to provide evidence to back the corruption claim and to also approach the anti-graft agencies with them.

The lawmaker said, “I want to state very clearly that Baba Edwin Clark is our revered leader, not just to the Niger Delta but also to Nigeria. He is a man that has committed so much towards the development of the Niger Delta. But the point that I personally disagree with is the issue of documentary evidence and delay of the budget.

“I have challenged the IMC more than three times on all media platforms, that if there is any documentary evidence against me, they should either bring it out or petition and submit such to the relevant government anti-corruption agencies. After all, I am a lawmaker and I do not enjoy any immunity. So, if there is any proof, they should act and stop throwing tantrums.”

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