From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Deputy spokesman, House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that the House has not indicted Chief Executive Officers of Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Agbese told journalists that the House is out to protect the interest of all Nigerians. He statsd that even when the parliament receives petitions against individuals, it always ensures the accused are given fair hearing.
Recall that the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, had summoned the Managing Director of REA, Mr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, to appear before it over alleged corruption in the agency.
The summons followed a petition by a Civil Society Organization ( CSO), alleging corrupt practices in the agency.
Nevertheless, Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, said the House will always guided by its rules, as well as treat all Nigerians fairly.
” We have our procedure, like every other Parliament across the world, so when issues are raised, they are to be considered meticulously and of course, we will always ensure that justice is done.
“For instance, you mentioned the issue of Tetfund, the committee on Tetfund had actually done its investigation. They have submitted their report and for those of you who, one way or the other may have access to the report can see that the Tetfund was not indicted in any way.
“You mentioned the issue of Rural Electrification Agency, petitions were raised by members of the society, some of these petitions were directly sent to public account, public petition and even the committee responsible for the oversight of that agency.”
The deputy spokesman added ‘I think in the case of the REA MD, he has been able to appear before these individuals (committees), he has cleared himself before the public account, he has cleared himself before other committees like, anti corruption, and all of that.
“Of course, we all know the principle that you cannot listen to one party to judge. Secondly, there is another Parliamentary principle of law that, when two persons are involved in an issue, you cannot listen to one party alone.
“The REA Managing Director has appeared before some of these committees; listening to both parties, I think we aligned ourselves with the judgement of most Nigerians, that this a young man who has actually been able to perform creditably well with the responsibility saddled on him by Mr. President. So, I just want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that we are not witch-hunting anyone. We are here for all Nigerians”,