Zenon Oil Chairman, Mr. Femi Otedolami Otedola, today criticised the House Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges for not making his interrogation public.
Otedola, who appeared before the panel on the alleged $620,000 bribery allegation between him and the suspended Chairman Fuel Subsidy Committee, Hon. Farouk Lawan said the issue is a public matter and his interrogation should not have been behind a closed door.
He said “this is a matter that has generated a lot of public interest and controversy. The House of Representatives Committee on the management of fuel subsidy headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan held all its sittings in public. When this issue arose, the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges publicly stated that its investigations will be held in public.
“It is therefore surprising and curious that this committee has made a u-turn to hold its investigative sittings in-camera particularly in the light of unfolding. events.
“I strongly believe that the interest of the public will not be best served if this investigation is held in-camera. I have nothing to hide and will only speak on this issue when this investigation is conducted in a very transparent manner and press as well as the general public are allowed to be present at the sittings of this committee from the beginning of its investigation to its conclusion.”
Speaking earlier, Adams Dan-Gambo, chairman House Committee on Ethics and Privileges assured that the committee will treat the issue without fear or favour but be fair to all the parties involved.
He promised that the committee will do justice in the course of discharging its duty.
After declaring the event open, Dan-Gambo asked all the newsmen to vacate the room while the resolved into closed door session where Otedola and his team will respond to questions on the allegation.
It would be recalled that Farouk Lawan also testified before the committee behind closed doors.
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