Breaking: Why House Committee Chair Probing The NDDC Stepped Down |The Source

By Adesina Soyooye

The marching order by President Muhammadu Buhari that there should be a speedy and coordinated probe into the  allegations of fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, may have forced the Chairman of the House of  Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the allegations to step down.

You will recall that last week, the Managing Director of the NDDC Interim Management Committee, IMC, Prof  Kemebradikumo Pondei, and his members, walked out on the Committee.

The M.D. said he would testify only if the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, excused himself, since he is an interested party, also, accused of alleged corruption, and meddlesomeness in the affairs of the Commission.

The walk-out was one of the highlights of the NDDC scandal, last week. The House members had chided the M.D., threatening to issue a bench warrant on him.

But embarrassed by the scandal, the President ordered a speedy and coordinated investigation.

Seeing that his continued stay as the Chairman of the Committee, would likely impede the investigation, and given the order, he was forced to step aside on Monday at the resumption of the investigation.

His Deputy, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi is presiding.

The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is expected to testify Monday afternoon.