April 19, 2010
The impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, who is currently stranded in Europe as a volcanic eruption in Iceland has disrupted flights, appears imminent. Although the resumption of the House of Representative today could not be ascertained as a result of the Speaker’s absence, members of the House opposed to his continuation as Speaker say they are determined to remove him from office as soon as possible.
The embattled Speaker had hoped to use today’s sitting to bribe members of the House by announcing an increase of their quarterly allowances by over 90%: from N27 million to N45 per member.
But House members opposed to Bankole say his transgressions have gone beyond such manipulations. Bankole is being accused of corruption, mismanagement of funds, insider deals, as well as high handedness.
Saharareporters learnt that Bankole might also face corruption charges if the current attempts to force him out office fail. A source told our reporter that a member of the House currently facing a corruption trial for stealing and embezzlement of funds belonging to the Rural Electrification Agency, Godwin Elumelu, has revealed to investigators how he shared the stolen monies with companies allegedly owned by Bankole through members of his family.
Saharareporters was first to reveal Bankole’s involvement in the REA contract scam but ailing Umaru Yar’adua did not permit the EFCC to prosecute Bankole for fraud due to the political bond between the duo.
Bankole did pay Yar’Adua back when he participated extensively in frustrating attempts to make Jonathan assume the role of Acting President until a massive pubic action forced him and his colleagues at the National Assembly to do so.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government is reported to have resolved to help Nigerian nationals travel out of Europe following the disruption of flights from Europe. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan today directed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Aviation to explore the bussing of Nigerians from all over Europe to Nice, France and Madrid, Spain, from where they are expected to be flown to Nigeria.
A source at the presidency told Saharareporters that Jonathan might announce the initiative in the next few hours. The plan, if it materializes, will help thousand s of ordinary Nigerians stranded in Europe.
The embattled Speaker had hoped to use today’s sitting to bribe members of the House by announcing an increase of their quarterly allowances by over 90%: from N27 million to N45 per member.
But House members opposed to Bankole say his transgressions have gone beyond such manipulations. Bankole is being accused of corruption, mismanagement of funds, insider deals, as well as high handedness.
Saharareporters learnt that Bankole might also face corruption charges if the current attempts to force him out office fail. A source told our reporter that a member of the House currently facing a corruption trial for stealing and embezzlement of funds belonging to the Rural Electrification Agency, Godwin Elumelu, has revealed to investigators how he shared the stolen monies with companies allegedly owned by Bankole through members of his family.
Saharareporters was first to reveal Bankole’s involvement in the REA contract scam but ailing Umaru Yar’adua did not permit the EFCC to prosecute Bankole for fraud due to the political bond between the duo.
Bankole did pay Yar’Adua back when he participated extensively in frustrating attempts to make Jonathan assume the role of Acting President until a massive pubic action forced him and his colleagues at the National Assembly to do so.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government is reported to have resolved to help Nigerian nationals travel out of Europe following the disruption of flights from Europe. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan today directed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Aviation to explore the bussing of Nigerians from all over Europe to Nice, France and Madrid, Spain, from where they are expected to be flown to Nigeria.
A source at the presidency told Saharareporters that Jonathan might announce the initiative in the next few hours. The plan, if it materializes, will help thousand s of ordinary Nigerians stranded in Europe.
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