Diezani jet charter: Tambuwal orders committee to resume probe

Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives,Wednesday ordered the Committee on Public Accounts to resume its investigation into the alleged N10bn expenditure by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke. The House of Representative has been probing into allegations that Alison-Madueke spent N10bn to charter and maintain a private jet, Challenger 850, for her trips in the last two years. The Speaker gave the order during plenary amid claims in some quarters that he had stopped the probe because of the mood of the nation. He informed lawmakers that, having consulted as he promised, he had arrived at the conclusion that the CPA should resume the probe. Tambuwal said, “I have read in newspapers that I stopped the committee from performing its
duties. “I only said I received court processes, not court order. “I directed you (Chairman of CPA, Mr. Solomon Olamilekan) to hold on until I consulted legal opinions. “I have done so. Good a thing that the presiding judge also said that there was no such orders (stopping the House). “I, therefore, direct that you should continue with the matter before you and report to the House as quickly as possible.” It will be recalled that the committee was set to begin the hearing on April 28 when the court processes were served on the House informing it of the decision of the minister to sue the legislature.