ABUJA - The House of Representatives has reacted formally to alleged fraud leveled against some principal officers over misappropriation of funds meant for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy and a retreat for capacity building for the members, saying the allegations are speculative.
The official position of the Reps conveyed last Thursday to newsmen by the spokesman Eseme Eyibo is coming against the backdrop of concluded plans by 241 members to remove whip of the House Emeka Ihedioha.
“There is no allegation yet but a concern. Allegation is when your expenditure differ from your activities. You cannot allege when the members have not given account.
What we have now is speculative concern arising from the level of agitation and not allegation, Eyibo who also is the Chairman Reps committee on media and public affairs told National Assembly correspondents.
He argued that it was proper to give the officers concerned fair hearing which the recent break currently enjoyed by them has not permitted.
Similarly, arrow head of the “Chief Whip must Go” campaign, Dino Melaye also told, newsmen shortly after the leadership made its position public ,that no less than 241 members of the House have singed his removal which will be brought on the floor Tuesday next week.
According to Eyibo, Dino’s utterances in the media where speculative concerns and not allegations, adding that for now his agitations are prejudicial essentially when the accused persons have not been given the opportunity to defend themselves.
He noted that just as those saddled with leadership responsibilities must account the onus also lies on those agitating to give them fair hearing.
He said as a normal internal practice, every committee whether standing or Ad-hoc must provide reports of all exercise they engage in plenary, pointing that the cases in hand had not provided such opportunities because the House is on a short break
He said it had become apparent now for the position of the House be made known in order not to connote admission of quiet, adding that there was no crisis in the House arising from the accusers speculative concern.
Meanwhile, the insistence to remove the chief whip of the House Emeka Ihedioha resonated on Thursday as 241 members are reported to have indicated through an impeachment notice that will be presented tomorrow Tuesday.
Chairman Information Committee of the House Dino Melaye told journalist that they had signed a vote of no confidence notice on Ihedioha whom he alleged has committed social sins.
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