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'PDP House Of Rep. Members Were Given $20,000/$50,000 Bribe Each To…….'- Madaki

Published

10 years ago

September 25, 2014

Another drama broke out at the House of Representatives yesterday, September 24, as the legislature ordered investigation into the bribery accusation related to the $9.3m seized in South Africa.
It all started on Tuesday when the majority voted for blocking the motion to discuss the issue. It would be recalled that the private jet was seized in South Africa on September 5, with the 3 passengers and $9.3m in cash packed in several suitcases.
The passengers claimed the money was aimed at buying arms for the Nigerian security, however they imported the money illegally. The Nigerian side allegedly later provided the documents to prove the deal legitimacy, but the SA side reportedly rejected the explanation and started the investigation.
Scores of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tuesday stormed out of the House as the discussion of the matter was stalled by the majority.
Then there followed allegations that those representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who voted against the motion were given $50,000 bribe to do so, Punch reports.
Speaking in front of the House yesterday Ali Madaki, from Kano APC, admitted knowledge of the bribery, saying he provided this information to the media when asked about the bribery rumours.
According to Vanguard, Madaki confirmed that he told a journalist that he had it on good authority “that PDP members were given $20,000 each”, not $50,000 as it was circulating in some reports.
House members mocked Madaki over not being able to substantiate the allegation, neither did he provide the source of the allegation. However the issue was directed to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for investigation.
It would be noted that another controversy is connected with the figure of the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. It was soon discovered that the aircraft involved belonged to him. The clergyman did not deny the fact but claimed that he had leased his jet in August thus he was not aware of any deals.
Many later criticized Orifsejafor calling his arguments “unsustainable”.