Faroukgate: Non-submission of report worries Rep

The non-submission of the oil subsidy report of the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives on the alleged $620, 000 bribery scandal involving Hon. Farouk Lawan and Mr. Femi Otedola has become a source of worry to some lawmakers in the Green Chambers.
Two years down the line, the House is still awaiting the report of the committee for further action.
Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Albert Sam-Tsokwa, over the weekend expressed worry on why the committee had not been able to turn in its report two years after the case was referred to it for investigation.
Sam-Tsokwa said he could not explain what might be delaying the report, lamenting that he was not in the position to speak for the committee.
He recalled that the motion on $9.3million arms deal was again referred to the committee for probe, adding that his privilege was bridged when a serving lawmaker in the House accused some PDP members of collecting $50, 000 bribe to stall the motion.
“My privilege was bridged and it was referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee and if you had asked me why the committee has not been able to do its work, it will be understandable.
“I remember that the Farouk Lawan case was referred to the committee and up till now we have not received any report. I am not in the position to speak for the committee and I don’t know why it has not been able to turn in its report,” Sam-Tsokwa pointed out.
Nigerian Pilot recalls that in 2012, Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Hon. Farouk Lawan was alleged to have collected $620,000 as part payment for a $3million bribe, which he allegedly demanded from an oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola in a bid to exonerate his company, Zenox Oil from the fuel subsidy probe.
The House had in May 2012 mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter and produce a report within 21 days, but the committee has not submitted its report since then.
All attempts to get reactions from the committee chairman, Hon Gambo Musa and his deputy, Hon. Toby Okechukwu on why the committee has not submitted its report to the House were not successful as calls and text messages to their phones were not responded to.