The $3 million bribe brouhaha took a dramatic twist earlier today as one of the dramatis personae, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Femi Otedola, said he wont testify in secret.
He said this as he honoured the invitation of the House of Representatives on Ethics and Privileges Committee probing his alleged bribe to the suspended Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Farouk Lawan.
The committee then went into a closed door session. However, Mr Otedola requested the hearing should be conducted in public.
There had been a string of back and forth between both camps. On monday, Channels TV aired an alleged audio of a phone conversation between Lawan and Otedola on how to deliver $2.5 million of the bribe money. Lawan’s attorney, Mike Ozekhome dismissed the audio as doctored.
Lwan who had been quizzed by police is insisting he received the money in a bid to entrap Otedola, but Otedola maintains it was a bribe to ensure the committee struck off Zenon Oil from the list of rogue oil marketers.
Below is his statement:
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
3rd July 2012.