Saturday, May 23, 2009             

Bankole Denies Alleged Role In Power Contract Scandal
By Laolu Adeyemi

Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has denied a report alleging that he benefited in the N5.2 billion contract scam in the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

The Speaker said the publication was a deliberate blackmail, adding that it was a typical "pull him down syndrome" spurned to tarnish his image.

In a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, Bankole disclosed that he had already taken the matter before a court of law to clear his name.

The statement added: "The wicked publication did not only fail 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 of "when in doubt, leave out.

"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."

The Speaker declared that none of the companies owned by his family members had ever solicited, applied or been linked to contracts under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The statement added: "In Nigeria, it is a simple thing to search for the identity of owners of various companies through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) but the blackmailers after Rt. Hon. Bankole would rather rush to questionable foreign media outlets as a prelude to moving to local media scene.

"The EFCC said its investigation into the case was spurred by movement of cash into companies' accounts and we challenge anyone to identify any companies owned by the Bankoles where REA made payment for contracts.

"We view this as yet another attempt aimed at discrediting the Speaker with political intent at best. 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 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 Committees. 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 organisation defaming their characters or the reputation of their companies through malicious publications."

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article12//indexn3_html?pdate=230509&ptitle=Bankole%20Denies%20Alleged%20Role%20In%20Power%20Contract%20Scandal&cpdate=230509


Anyways sahara reporters mention on Thursday that his family was involved, i guess he is only replying. Anyways sahara never named the so called companies, though.

What does Rt. in front of his name mean? Is it something that members of house of rep. have in front of their name?

banky for president.

lepashandi:

banky for president.

moneygurl:



What does Rt. in front of his name mean? Is it something that members of house of rep. have in front of their name?

'The Right Honourable' (the Rt Hon) is the form of address for people holding the title or office of the house of representatives.