Femi Otedola, the billionaire business man at the
center of the Hon Farouk Lawan bribery scandal has appeared before the House of
Representatives Ethics Committee probing the bribery scandal. Accompanied by
his lawyers and some employees, Otedola objected to testifying in camera. He
insisted that he would only testify in public for all Nigerians to hear.Curiously, the House Committee on ethics had initially said that they would sit in public only to turn around and change its own plans after Farouk Lawan, the Legislator at the receiving end of the bribe saga, appeared at the committee’s venue last week.
Below was Mr Otedola's speech:
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on
Ethics and Privileges,
Honorable Members of the House of Representatives
Committee on Ethics and Privileges,
Honorable Members,
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
the press and interested
Nigerians are allowed to be present at the sittings of this
committee.
Thank you.
Femi Otedola, CON