The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) on Thursday said that the president of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd., Mr Femi Otedola, should not determine the manner in which the nation’s lawmakers should hear him.
Otedola, on Tuesday demanded a public hearing when he appeared before the House of Representatives’ Ethics and Privileges Committee.
The committee is probing the $620,000 bribe allegation between him and the former chairman of the House Committee on fuel subsidy probe, Mr Farouk Lawan.
Otedola declined to testify in secret, saying he wanted Nigerians to be part of the deliberations.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the state chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, said that Otedola should not dictate the pace for the committee.
“Despite certain odds, the Nigerian House of Representatives is an institution that must be respected.
“We are not against Otedola’s wishes to be heard in public, but he should not be allowed to dictate to the house,’’ he said.
Omokhuale noted that while the CLO supported a public hearing, it should be at the discretion of the house.
According to him, whether in private or in public, Otedola must respect the nation’s house of representatives as an institution.
He, however, decried the slow pace of the investigations both by the lawmakers and the anti graft/security agencies that should have taken up the matter.
“A matter of this nature should be swiftly handled. The exchange of words, demands and revelations of so called audio tapes by the media is becoming ridiculous.
“The whole scenario is turning into a comedy and is further affecting the nation’s image negatively’’ he said.
The CLO chairman urged the executive arm of government to wade into the matter with directives that could compel those in charge to take the necessary actions.
“No man is above the law and we must not be seen as placing one man above the law,’’ he said.
Omokhuale called for the immediate suspension of Otedola as a member of the nation’s economic team, pending the conclusion of the issues involving him over his alleged offering of bribe to Lawan. (NAN)
Dozens of Syrian soldiers defect to Turkey
At least 75 Syrian government soldiers, including a general and two colonels, have defected to the rebels and fled to Turkey, opposition activists said on Thursday.
Some 350 soldiers have defected since Monday, the activists said. The latest defections occurred on Wednesday, they added.
Rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad have in recent month escalated their military campaign and control large areas in Syria.
“There are areas like Homs and Deir al-Zour and even districts near Damascus that the regime forces cannot enter because they are under the total control of the revolutionaries,’’ rebel commander Abu Alaa said.
France will on Friday host representatives from some 100 Arab and Western countries as well as the Syrian opposition to discuss the 16-month conflict.
The Friends of Syria talks aimed to draw plans to end the bloodshed. (dpa/NAN)
Gov Obi donates N10m for building of maternity complex
Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra on Thursday presented a N10 million cheque for the building of an ultra-modern maternity complex at Holy Rosary Hospital and Maternity in Onitsha.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor on March 14 laid the foundation stone for the complex, which was dedicated to his late mother.
During the ceremony, Obi commended the partnership between the government and the Church on sustained efforts to improve the health and education sectors, which are major components of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“This is in support of the on-going construction of this ultra-modern maternity complex. It also reaffirms the administration’s commitment in building symbiotic ties with the missions in actualising the MDGs.
“We know that the complex when completed, would help greatly in safe delivery and reduce the incidence of maternal mortality among our pregnant women in Onitsha and its environs,’’ he noted.
Reacting, Dr. Stanley Ozigbo, the hospital administrator, expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture.
Ozigbo, who is also a Catholic priest, prayed God to give the governor the strength and blessings to accomplish his lofty programmes for the state.
In his speech, the director of the hospital, Rev. Fr. Patrick Omuta, thanked the governor for extending his generosity to the medical institution.
NAN learnt that about N25 million has so far been donated to the hospital by the government for the completion of the N75 million complex. (NAN)
Cross River to establish Environment Court
The Cross River Government on Thursday said it would soon establish an Environment Court to prosecute offenders in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sandy Onoh, made the announcement while addressing newsmen on the ongoing de-silting of culverts and drains in Calabar.
According to him, the court will be established to prosecute those found culpable of environmental offences.
Onoh called on residents of the state to adopt environment-friendly life styles.
The commissioner reassured the residents that government would check flooding in the state.
Onoh also pleaded with the residents to help government to check flooding by not dumping refuse in the drains.
He said that government would ensure free flow of water within the city.
Onoh said that in spite of repeated calls and appeals, some residents were still dumping refuse in drains, noting that the action had exposed lives and property to the menace of flooding.
Mr Gabriel Egari, Executive Secretary of the Calabar Urban Development Authority, called for attitudinal change among residents of the city.
He said the de-silting exercise was being done on daily basis, following an approval granted by the government.
Egari noted that the exercise was concentrated at flood prone areas but that it would soon cover the entire city. (NAN)