House N10B Loan: ICPC Investigates Speaker Bankole
ABUJA, June 04, (THEWILL) - The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed in a letter to Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), that it is investigating the allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the N10 billion loan obtained by the leadership of the House of Representatives on behalf of the House.
In a letter with reference number ICPC/P/SW/328/2011, and dated 27 May 2011, F. Popoola for the ICPC Acting Chairman said: “I am directed to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your petition requesting us to investigate the alleged mismanagement of the N10 billion loan obtained by the leadership of the House of Representatives. We are taking steps to look into the matter, and in due course you will be notified of further development.”
SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni in a statement said that, “the investigation by both the ICPC and the EFCC of the N10 billion scandal would help to reinvigorate the fight against high level official corruption and the impunity of perpetrators, especially at a time when the Freedom of Information Act has been enacted.”
“Without doubt, the ongoing investigation by the two anticorruption agencies would lend momentum to the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria; and is good for improving the credibility of the agencies among the citizens as a serious body can and will rise up to the occasion and act without fear to address the problem of corruption especially at the highest level of political authorities.”
“Their investigation would also contribute to a democratic governance, transparency and accountability; respect for human rights, and will help foster public accountability and trust as well as governmental legitimacy. It will go a long way in facilitating the effective implementation of the newly enacted Freedom of Information Act,” SERAP added.
The group said that, “We also urge both agencies to make public their findings of the on-going investigation into the allegations of corruption in the alleged mismanagement of the N10 billion loan. We now look forward to the effective prosecution of the suspected perpetrators and recovery of any stolen public funds.”
Dimeji Bankole has said he would submit himself to the EFCC on Monday after a botched attempt to arrest him on Friday failed because of the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim and other influential persons.