Reps allege plot to blackmail Tambuwal over Diezani jet probe
Some members of the House of Representatives have claimed to have uncovered a plot to blackmail Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and other officers over the probe of the jet scandal involving Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
A member of the Public Accounts Committee handling the probe told Daily Trust that there is a plan to sponsor media publications to link Tambuwal and other officers of the House with hiring of private jets for foreign and local travels.
The publications would show that the speakeer is spending public funds to hire private jets even though he has access to the presidential fleet, the source said.
He also claimed that sponsored protests would be staged at the National Assembly on April 28, the day the committee would begin a public hearing on the matter.
The House had mandated the public accounts committee to investigate allegations that Mrs Alison-Madueke spent N10 billion on a charteted jet since 2010. N3 billion was said to be spent on maintenance alone, while N7 billion was for hanger costs and crew allowances. Tambuwal’s spokesman Imam Imam could not be reached by telephone for comments on the issue.
But speaking to Daily Trust by telephone yesterday, House spokesman Zakari Mohammed said the House does not give credence to speculations.