N300m scam: Senators above the law - Mark
Abuja - The 13 members of the Senate Committee on Health will not honor the invitation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a directive by the soon-to-be ousted President of the Senate, Chief David Mark.
Mark who cited the ongoing recess has, however, directed the Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello-led Committee to make a public defense of the claims of wrongdoings alleged against it in utilizing the N10 million from the N300 million unspent 2007 budget of the Federal Ministry of Health for a retreat in Ghana.
Consequently, the Committee has issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and declared that it acted upon the rules of the Senate.
Meanwhile, the Senate in a move to insulate the legislative body from the kind of ethical dilemma sparked by the Health Committee trip has given an assurance of enough financial provision to cover the activities of its Committees in the 2008 budget.
Senate spokesman, Chief Ayogu Eze, who gave the assurance also said Nigerians expecting the Senate Committee to be indicted over the issue would be disappointed.
Mark, according to Senate sources, in his response to the EFCC summons requesting to interrogate members of the Senate Committee on Health, informed the Commission of the unavailability of many of the Committee members on account of the Senate recess.
The Senate is expected to resume from its Easter break on April 8.
It could, however, not be confirmed yesterday when the Senate President wrote the commission.
At least two members of the Committee were reported to have traveled abroad for an official trip to Cuba foreclosing their presence today.
It was gathered that Senator Obasanjo-Bello, the soon-to-be indicted chaiperson of the senate committe on health, in response to the public disclosure met with the Senate President on Monday night during which he instructed her to respond to the public allegations of unethical conduct.
The meeting with the Senate President on Monday evening was preceded by a meeting of some Committee members presided over by Senator Obasanjo-Bello. At that meeting, a draft public statement was debated by the Committee members.
Senator Obasanjo-Bello according to informed sources was quoted as repeatedly apologizing to Committee members for the embarrassment which she said political antagonism against her father and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had brought on the Committee.
“She kept on repeating her apologies, saying if she was not the daughter of Chief Obasanjo all the problems would not have been coming to the Committee,’’ sources said.
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