by Isi Esene

Mr. Femi Otedola appeared yesterday before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges probing the bribe allegation trailing the fuel subsidy probe lead by Farouk Lawan. Otedola who had earlier stated his preference for an open session refused to answer all questions posed at him by members of the House Committee. He, however, insisted that Lawan lied four times concerning the bribery allegations leveled against him.

After the meeting that lasted for almost one-and -half hours, the Committee could neither pry any documented or oral evidence from several questions directed at Otedola.

He later said: “I have nothing to hide and will only speak on this issue when this investigation is conducted in a very transparent manner and the press as well as the general public are allowed to be present at the sittings of this Committee from the beginning to its conclusion.”

Giving the committee’s side of the story after quizzing the oil baron, Committee Chairman, Gambo Dan-Musa described Otedola as “stupid” for laughing at the lawmakers after every question asked and for also referring to them as hungry men.

He said: “It was very stupid of him and we are not happy because we cannot have a respected standing Committee of this nature and someone will come and tell us that he is a businessman and not hungry like ourselves.

“Do we look like hungry men, ladies and gentlemen?” he asked rhetorically.

A fairly difficult question to answer indeed.

The Zenon Oil boss arrived the meeting at about 2.05pm in his trade mark white kaftan and sandals to match. His lawyer and three top officials of his company accompanied him to the session.

Source: The Nation