NDDC acting MD Pondei walks out on Reps





The probe by the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, into the finances of the commission took a different turn on Thursday as the Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee(IMC) Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei and his team walked out on the Committee.
Pondei had informed the committee that he and the team were not prepared to make any presentation after abjecting to the Chairman of the Committee, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presiding over the investigative hearing.

Pondei insisted Tunji-Ojo cannot preside over a matter in which he is an accused, The Nation reports.

Members of the Committee, including Benjamin Kali, Ben Ibakpa and Shehu Koko, told the Acting MD that since there was no document before them, he is constitutionally bound to answer their queries.

While members were still making a contribution on the issue, the Acting MD sought permission to leave and walked out before the committee could grant or reject his request.

Furious members of the Committee accused the Interim Management Committee of trying to frustrate legislative functions and ordered a warrant of arrest be issued against him.

The Committee also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on its Chairman.