The office of the Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives has reacted angrily to Press reports that the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, His Father, and Two Brothers are involved in the REA Electrification Scandal. Saharareporters had reported about the “extensive involvement of Speaker Dimeji Bankole of the House of Representatives in the rural electrification scam that has embroiled members of
the National Assembly as well as senior officials of the Rural Electrification Agency”.
In a Press Statement, the Speaker insisted that “while the family members of Rt. Hon. Bankole have every right within the law to own companies and carry out contracts in Nigeria. But in this instance, none of the companies they own has solicited, applied or have been linked to contracts under investigation by EFCC”.
Below are the Press Statement and The story carried by Saharareporters.
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PRESS STATEMENT
BANKOLES NOT INVOLVED IN POWER CONTRACT
The attention of the office of the Speaker, House of Representatives have been drawn to an Internet sponsored publication alleging that members of Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole family benefitted in the N5.2 billion contract scam at the Rural Electrification Agency, REA.
While the issue is now before a court of competent jurisdiction and it would be subjudice to comment on the litigation, it is necessary to alert the public and media organizations that this is yet another blackmail to tarnish the reputation of the Speaker in a typical “Pull Him Down syndromeâ€.
The wicked publication not only failed to establish any linkage between members of the family of Rt. Hon. Bankole and all the companies published and charged to be involved in the rural electrification contracts. Indeed the publication specifically stated that it cannot identify which of the companies is linked to the family of Bankole, which in itself negates the fundamental journalism rule that “when in doubt, leave outâ€.
For the avoidance of doubt, family members of Rt. Hon. Bankole have every right within the law to own companies and carry out contracts in Nigeria. But in this instance, none of the companies they own has solicited, applied or have been linked to contracts under investigation by EFCC.
In Nigeria, it is a simple thing to search for the identity of owners of various companies through the Corporate Affairs Commission, C.A.C, but the blackmailers after Rt. Hon. Bankole would rather rush to questionable foreign media outlets as a prelude to moving to local media scene.
We recalled that EFCC said its investigation into the case was spurred by movement of cash into companies’ accounts and we challenge anyone to identify any companies own by the Bankoles where REA made payment for contracts.
We view this as yet another attempt aimed at discrediting the Speaker with intent which could at best be political. The pull him down agenda, it would be recalled, started barely two days after the Speaker was elected when some disgruntled elements came down hard on his person, alleging that he did not serve the nation under the mandatory NYSC scheme. When this was conclusive shown to be a lie, these elements followed with an attack on the integrity of the Bankole led House through the malicious allegation of fraud using forged documents on the purchase of Peugeot 407 cars for the House’s Committee. Again, when the orchestration failed, these enemies have now shifted their attack on the family of Bankole.
Despite these wicked machinations, the Speaker would not be distracted from pursuing an activist legislative agenda that had led to unprecedented achievements for good governance in the country. As it is, family members of Bankole reserve the right to seek legal redress against any person or organization defaming their character or the reputation of their companies through malicious publication.
Idowu Bakare
Chief Press Secretary to Speaker,
Nigeria House Of Representatives