Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has ordered the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to resume its investigation into the alleged N10billion expended on chattered private jets by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Tambuwal ordered resumption of the investigation on wednesday, during a plenary session, debunking rumours that the probe had been halted to commiserate with the nation’s mood.
Tambuwal explained that he merely advised the committee to pause for some time after his office was served with a court process instituted by the minister on 28th April. He said that his position at the time was to give room for consultation with legal experts.
Tambuwal futher explained that he has never at any time announced that the court order had halted the House from doing its work on the issue. He said that after his consultations as promised, he has concluded that the committee saddled with the duty of probing should continue working.
“I have read in newspapers that I stopped the committee from performing its duties,” Tambuwal said.
“I only said I received court processes, not court order. I directed you (Mr. Solomon Olamilekan, chairman of the committee) to hold on while I seek legal opinions.
“I have done so. Good a thing that the presiding judge also said that there was no such orders as stopping the House from probing. I therefore direct that you should continue with the matter before you and report to the House as quickly as possible.”
The committee was set to begin the probe hearing on 28th April when the court processes were served to the House, informing it of the decision of the minister to sue the legislature. It had led to confusion after some House officials initially interpreted the court processes to mean an injunction against the committee.
Alison-Madueke had allegedly spent the said money to charter and maintain a private jet, Challenger 850, for her trips in the last two years.
