We won't drop Akunyili's petition, Reps insist
From Terhemba Daka in Abuja GUARDIAN | Feb.12.2010

THE Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, Cyril Maduabum, yesterday declared that the parliament could only drop its investigation into the petition filed by Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, against her Special Duties counterpart, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, only if Akunyili decided to "formally withdraw" it.

Fielding questions on whether his committee would stop investigation into the matter, since Akunyili had dropped the controversial memo, which triggered her altercation with former Justice Minister, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, Maduabum said as "a validly referred petition" his committee would go ahead and conduct an investigation to ascertain the veracity of the allegation, adding, however, that the only reason his committee would drop the hearing was when the petitioner decided to formally withdraw it.

"The petition has been referred to us and consistent with our rules it will be treated accordingly. It is a validly referred petition. We can only stop the hearing when she formally withdraws the petition," Maduabum stated.

Specifically, Akunyili had last Tuesday through Dino Melaye and two other lawmakers filed a petition before the parliament complaining that Aondoakaa made disparaging statements against her by accusing her of sharp practices while she held sway as Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC).

The petitioners also said that Aondoakaa made uncomplimentary remarks against the National Assembly while speaking on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) yesterday on the resolutions of the Senate and the House that Vice President Goodluck Jonathan should assume full presidential powers.

"The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, as the custodian of our laws, should be compelled by the House of Representatives to appear before the relevant committee to prove his allegation," he said.

The petitioners said that they believed that compelling Aondoakaa to substantiate his allegation would go a long way to show that his remarks against Akunyili were made in good faith.

Maduabum said both parties would be given the opportunity to present their cases when hearing on the matter commences.

He, however, declined to give a specific date for the hearing, but disclosed that the committee had recently dispensed with 33 cases ranging from extra-judicial killings, discriminatory disengagement and allied petition levelled against the police.

"Despite the fact that there are too many petitions now before us, the committee would ensure speedy hearing into the matter,", he added.

Meanwhile, Maduabum has condemned the poor filing of staff records by the authorities of the Nigeria Police.

Stunned that the police could not trace the records of some of its personnel disengaged over alleged extortion and "unprofessional conduct," he expressed shock that the police were still operating what he described as "analogue system of data management" in this computer era.

Back to News Index