The Police have grilled Alwan Hassan, who accused the President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, and his Deputy, Barau I. Jibrin, of receiving $10 million to halt the confirmation of Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Alwan had, in an interview in Kano last week, told journalists that Akpabio and Barau were bribed by key players in the country’s power sector with $10m to stop the confirmation of Ramat.
Alwan told newsmen, ” As usual, Nigerians must enjoy the services they pay for. In doing that, the Gencos and Discos became jittery. There is a strong allegation that the Gencos and Discos, the players in the industry, bribed Akpabio and Barau $10 million to subvert his (Ramat) confirmation. ”
It was reported that the police invited Alwan to substantiate the allegations levelled against the two presiding officers of the Senate.
” It is based on the allegation against the President of the Senate and his Deputy. Let him expatiate further on the allegations; who are the industry players; when and where the money was given? Let him furnish us with all this information,” a source said.
You recall that penultimate Friday, the Senate denied allegations that its leadership received a whopping $10 million bribe to frustrate the screening and confirmation of Ramat.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), described the claim as baseless and mischievous.
Senator Adaramodu explained that the Senate decided to suspend Ramat’s screening and confirmation due to “a baggage of public and private complaints” raised against his nomination.
“The Senate is statutorily bound to pause consideration of any nominee facing serious public petitions or controversies. Many nominees in the past have been stepped down for similar reasons. Mr. Ramat’s case is no exception,” he said.
The Senate Spokesman stressed that the upper chamber would not succumb to blackmail or allow individuals to undermine its integrity through false allegations.
“No one can drag the National Assembly into disrepute with unfounded claims in an attempt to arm-twist the legislature. “We will engage Mr. Alwan in court to provide Nigerians with evidence to support his assertions,” he added.
