The member representing Epe Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, has charged the anti-corruption agencies in the country to commence an immediate investigation into the allegation of budgeting padding rocking the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
In a statement released from his office on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 and made available to newsmen, the lawmaker urged both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to look critically into the petition submitted to them by the former Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.
This, according to Olulade, who is the Chairman, Committee on Health Services of the House of Assembly, will assist the anti-graft agencies in bringing out the truth about “budget padding”, which is alleged to have been a norm in both the lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly.
The lawmaker stated further that “we don’t have to look at the messenger; rather, we should critically examine the message. If Hon. Jibrin could be bold and courageous enough to submit a petition against the Speaker and some principal officers of the House, then it means he has some points to prove.
“Hon. Jibrin has continuously accused the Speaker of corruption and budget padding and the Speaker himself have severally denied this claim, then I think both the EFCC and ICPC should stand up and be alive to their responsibilities by taking up this issue as a matter of urgent public importance.
“To me as an individual and a legislator, budget padding is an illegal, grievous and criminal act that should be condemned by all. We can’t continue to talk about ‘change’ to Nigerians and still continue to live in the old ways.
“Allegations have been made left, right and centre, it is now the responsibilities of our anti-graft agencies to swing into action by investigating this matter because Nigerians are very interested in this case and they will follow it to a logical conclusion,” the statement read in part.
Hon. Olulade, however, advised the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dogara and other principal officers alleged to be part of the budget padding to make themselves available for investigations whenever the need arises, adding that “this is the only way they can prove their innocence to Nigerians and the entire world,” he added.
