Tony Akowe, Abuja
THE controversial probe of the theN40 billion sleaze in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) got messier on Thursday.
The Acting Managing Director of the intervention agency, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, walked out on members of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs .
Pondei cited as reason, the headship of the probe committee by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whom he said was an “interested and accused party” in the ills bedeviling the NDDC.
He alleged that the NDDC had over time “accused Tunji-Ojo of different crimes against the NDDC and its people (officials) and he has responded in the press.”
The acting managing director therefore, asked the panel chairman to step aside and an ad hoc committee constituted as conditions for his management team to defend itself.
But, the Niger Delta Affairs Committee denounced his action, saying the IMC had till yesterday not formally communicated its chairman’s alleged offences to it in writing. It consequently issued a warrant of arrest on Pondei and passed a vote of confidence on Tunji-Ojo..
Pondei had said that the NDDC team would not get a fair hearing under the Tunji-Ojo-led committee.
He said: “Let just say that we are not comfortable with the Chairman of this committee presiding over a matter in which he is an accused party.
“The NDDC has over time accused Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of different crimes against the NDDC and its people, and he has responded in the press.
“He is an interested party and we do not believe that the NDDC can have justice because he cannot sit on his own case.
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“We have no issues with appearing before the committee because we appeared before the Senate Committee. And as long as he is the chairman of this committee, the NDDC will not make any presentations here.”
But, Benjamin Kalu, Ben Ibakpa and Shehu Koko told Pondei that since there was no document indicting their charman, he(Pondei) was duty bound by the constitution to answer queries..
Koko said:” If you have anything against the chairman of this committee, there are many ways you can report your matter.
“You can write to the Police, the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), ICPC(Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission) and to this House. At the moment, we do not have any written communication from the NDDC on the issue they have with the chairman, which is personal.”
While Kalu said “it is out of order for an invited guest to instruct us on how to regulate the activity of the House,” Igbakpa, argued that whatever allegation Ponder “made is in the air and it remains in the air. ”
While more members were still making contributions to the issue, Pondei sought permission and walked out without waiting for the committee to either grant his request or reject it.
Furious, the lawmakers accused the NDDC team of frustrating legislative functions and ordered that a warrant be issued for his arrest.
The motion to issue the arrest warrant was moved by Kalu and seconded by Koko.
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