Despite
denials by the embattled Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, that he
did not collect N458 million bribe from the Managing Director of J-Pros
International Nigeria Ltd, Mr Joseph Dina, the House of Assembly yesterday
maintained that a special committee of the House had indicted him of the
offence.
denials by the embattled Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, that he
did not collect N458 million bribe from the Managing Director of J-Pros
International Nigeria Ltd, Mr Joseph Dina, the House of Assembly yesterday
maintained that a special committee of the House had indicted him of the
offence.
Agbaso had over the weekend cried out that the House’s bid to
impeach him was politically-motivated, citing an agreement reached by Governor
Rochas Okorocha with his elder brother, Chief Martin Agbaso, on 2015 Imo
governorship slot to be the cause of his travails.
impeach him was politically-motivated, citing an agreement reached by Governor
Rochas Okorocha with his elder brother, Chief Martin Agbaso, on 2015 Imo
governorship slot to be the cause of his travails.
But the House reacting yesterday to the deputy governor’s claim
in a statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dr Acho
Ihim, said Sir Jude’s travails “had nothing to do with 2015, ethnic and zonal
politics or indeed weeping up undue sentiments.”
in a statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dr Acho
Ihim, said Sir Jude’s travails “had nothing to do with 2015, ethnic and zonal
politics or indeed weeping up undue sentiments.”
The House, therefore, said that it is “mischievous, sacrilegious
and cheap blackmail for anybody or indeed a group of persons to try to divert
attention from the real issues at stake.” The lawmakers vowed that it would not
allow external forces to influence the House’s constitutional duties.
and cheap blackmail for anybody or indeed a group of persons to try to divert
attention from the real issues at stake.” The lawmakers vowed that it would not
allow external forces to influence the House’s constitutional duties.
Stating how the deputy governor allegedly got himself entangled,
the House said that a state and local government joint monitoring committee was
established about six months ago to monitor the construction of roads in the
three Senatorial zones and Sir Jude as the Commissioner for Works and Transport
worked with the committee and even inspected project sites with them.
the House said that a state and local government joint monitoring committee was
established about six months ago to monitor the construction of roads in the
three Senatorial zones and Sir Jude as the Commissioner for Works and Transport
worked with the committee and even inspected project sites with them.
According to the House, “the state and local government
committee led by Hon. Stan Dara submitted its report on the floor of the House
in February 2013. That the report of the state and local government joint
monitoring committee indicted the following construction companies: Timik Nig
Ltd; J-Pros International Nig Ltd and others.
committee led by Hon. Stan Dara submitted its report on the floor of the House
in February 2013. That the report of the state and local government joint
monitoring committee indicted the following construction companies: Timik Nig
Ltd; J-Pros International Nig Ltd and others.
“That due to the indictment of the afore-mentioned companies,
another special adhoc committee led by Hon Simon Iwunze was set-up to find out
why the construction companies failed or abandoned their project sites.” The
House said that the companies were invited by the committee and queried on
questioned why they abandoned their sites.
another special adhoc committee led by Hon Simon Iwunze was set-up to find out
why the construction companies failed or abandoned their project sites.” The
House said that the companies were invited by the committee and queried on
questioned why they abandoned their sites.
Mr Dina of J-Pros International told the committee that he
abandoned his site because Agbaso allegedly demanded and collected N458 million
from him. This, the deputy governor, has since denied.
abandoned his site because Agbaso allegedly demanded and collected N458 million
from him. This, the deputy governor, has since denied.
Source: Sun
