Posted by By BASHIR UMAR, Abuja on
The Felix Olupitan Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges investigating Senator Ibrahim Mantu's involvement in the alleged financial fraud on his house rent was told yesterday that the Deputy Senate President's act could not be defended even by top management of the National Assembly.
The Felix Olupitan Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges investigating Senator Ibrahim Mantu's involvement in the alleged financial fraud on his house rent was told yesterday that the Deputy Senate President's act could not be defended even by top management of the National Assembly.
Several perplexing questions could not be answered by the Clerk of the National Assembly, his Deputy or the Directors of Finance and Supply and that of Budget and Planning.
The top officials were at sea as to how rents were paid for the house in Maitama, which was first occupied by Mantu, even when he was reported to have vacated it.
Director of Finance and Supply, Mr Adelani Owolabi was particularly confused when the committee wanted to know why a 6-bedroom house (old) in Maitama cost N9.2million for two years while a 7-bedroom in Asokoro (new) will cost a whopping N50million in the same year 2004 (even though Maitama is costlier to live).
The poor director became more confused when the committee wanted to know how he could compromise Mantu's claim that he left the house because it was leaking, and was like a pool, and the director's assertion that all the furniture were still in high standard.
The NASS Clerk and his deputy and the two directors could not produce a proof of either the landlord or owner of the new house Mantu is occupying at John Kadiya Close, Asokoro.
Confusion galore marked the investigation as several submissions contradicted the evidence presented which angered the committee members, who warned; 'we are not here to joke with you".
The Director of Planning and Budget of the NASS, Kabiru Muhammed attracted this caution when he submitted that the FCDA was solely responsible for renting houses for legislators but could not explain why it was only Mantu who enjoyed accommodation which rents were neither paid nor refunded by the FCDA.
Meanwhile, the Director for Hajj Pilgrims , Ambassador Abdullahi Madaki solicited to give his evidence in camera 'because I am a civil servant" to which the committee obliged.
But the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Honourable Namadi Bugaje indicted Mantu of 'superfluous and ostentatious expenditure" while in the holyland for 'mismanaging" $116,000 on his entourage.
The committee resumes sitting Wednesday when Senator Mantu is expected to give evidence as 'the last witness" to appear before it.