NDDC House of Reps committee chairman, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo steps aside from investigative panel

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has recused himself from the committee investigating allegations of financial recklessness in the commission.

LIB reported last week that the acting Managing Director of the InterimCommittee of the Commission, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei,demanded Tunji-Ojo to step down from the committee as he cannot be presiding over a case where he has also been indicted. The Committee however passed a vote of confidence on Tunji-Ojo and rejected Pondei’s demand. This forced Pondei and his team members to stage a walk-out on the committee members.

However, at the resumed hearing of the Committee this morning where the Niger Delta Minister, Godswill Akpabio is expected to testify, Tunji-Ojo announced his decision to step down so as to ensure all parties in the case get a fair hearing. He dismissed allegations he is on a revenge mission against the NCDC leadership.

”I am not on any revenge mission and as far as I am concerned, there is no personal fued between us as an institution or me as an individual and the Interim Management Committee.

In line with my belief that people deserve to be heard and heard fairly, I will to clearly appeal to my colleagues to recuse me from presiding over this particular meeting.

I hope this will give all parties the opportunity to present their facts in the interest of the people of the Niger Delta” he said

The deputy chairman of the committee, Thomas Ereyi-Tobi, has taken over proceedings of the panel.