Representatives to Investigate U.S.$50,000 Arm Deal Bribery Scandal!

Reports says House of Representatives has resolved to probe an allegation that $50,000 bribe was offered to lawmakers to douse the rising anger over the $9.3 million arms deal scandal involving two Nigerians and an Israeli national in South Africa.

A private jet, with the Nigerians on board together with the Israeli, reportedly conveyed the $9.3 million cash into South Africa.

The money was believed to be intended for procurement of arms and ammunition in South Africa.

However, the South African government apprehended the suspects and seized the cash because it was above the limit legally permitted into the country.

A motion seeking to investigate the scandal reportedly brought about disagreement between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House on Tuesday.

The motion was sponsored by Deputy Minority Leader, Sulieman Kawu, and seconded by Olajumuke Okoya Thomas.

Debate on the motion led to rowdy atmosphere on Tuesday, as APC lawmakers staged a walkout following a perceived attempt by Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, to kill the motion.to investigate 

Ihedioha presided at the House plenary on Tuesday during which some members alleged an offer of $50,000 to each lawmaker apparently to kill the motion seeking to investigate the scandal.

The House on Wednesday mandated its House Committee on Ethics and Privileges issues arising from the event of the walkout by the APC members from the Tuesday's plenary.

The resolution to this effect, following a motion, was triggered by a media publication alleging that a member told the press that the PDP lawmakers in the House were paid $50,000 each to kill the motion that led to the walkout.

A member, Sam Tsokwa, described the allegation as weighty and must by investigated.

Ihedioha then threw the motion to the floor and it was resolved that the matter should be investigated.

The House referred the motion to the committee and asked it to report back on time.

Similarly, consideration of the report on drugs, narcotics and financial crimes suffered a major set back in the House following the absence of the committee chairman at the plenary to defend the bill which the leadership of the House described as very important.

It would be recalled that the Executive Bill referred to the committee for its input and possibly organise a public hearing to enable stakeholders contribute to the very important bill has been pending at the committee level without results.

The bill was, however, stepped down for deliberation on the next legislative date.

The Deputy Speaker, who expressed displeasure over the committee's delay of the bill appealed to committee members to expedite action with the view to according it accelerated passage.

The bill when passed will impact on the lives of Nigerians, Ihedioha noted.

Meanwhile, the House has urged the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to "urgently and responsibly commence action on all the issues raised by communities" which it (FCDA) has also accepted to implement.

The call was necessitated by a petition brought by inhabitants of Maitama Sabo, Maitama Tsoho, Kubwa, Katampe and Nyikuru communities.

The House also condemned the action of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council in reallocating lands earlier reserved for the petitioners as well as the misappropriation of some of the allocations for the resettlement of the petitioners (original inhabitants) by officials of the FCDA and their cohorts.

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