Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee (IMC) for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Kemebradikumo Pondei, and his team Thursday in Abuja walked out on the members of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.
This was coming as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, allegedly rushed into the Port Harcourt residence of a former NDDC Managing Director, Joy Nunieh, to rescue her from a purported house arrest following alleged police invasion of the house.
Pondei and the team, while addressing the committee members, said they were not prepared to make any presentation before the lawmakers.
The Acting Managing Director raised objections that the Chairman of House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presiding over the investigative hearing, could not preside over a matter in which he’s an accused.
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’s constitutionally bound to answer their queries.
While members were still making contribution on the issue, Pondei 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.
Meanwhile, Wike was said to have arrived Nunieh’s house, which was surrounded by over 15 armed policemen in the early hours of Thursday.
The governor allegedly bulldozed his way into the building and took the embattled ex-NDDC managing director to the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Nunieh was supposed to be in Abuja on Thursday to testify before the ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating alleged corruption in NDDC.
Idowu Sowunmi
