Shehu Koko, a member
of the House of Representatives panel that interrogated Prof Kemebradikumo
Pondei, Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on
Monday when he fainted, was in 2019 declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other related offences Commission for corruption, findings by
SaharaReporters have revealed.
Pondei fainted
during the televised hearing into the alleged mismanagement of N81.5bn by the
Interim Management Committee of the NDDC on Monday, causing commotion at the
venue of the probe
Several persons
present at the hearing rushed to his aid, attempting to stabilise him from what
appears to be a seizure.
SaharaReporters
gathered that Koko, a lawmaker from Kebbi State, was on December 12, 2019
declared wanted after he repeatedly failed to appear before the ICPC over an
ongoing investigation against him.
According to Rasheedat
Okoduwa, ICPC Director of Public Enlightenment, the lawmaker failed to perfect
his administrative bail and ignored the commission’s invitation
“Hon. Shehu Koko
Mohammed is hereby declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and
other related offences Commission for his failure to appear before the
commission for an ongoing investigation against him. He was declared wanted for
failing to perfect his bail conditions.
“He was granted
administrative bail by ICPC after he was earlier invited for questioning
regarding the alleged fraudulent acquisition of properties, using his position
to confer undue advantage on himself while serving as ADC to a former governor
of Katsina State.
“Anyone who has useful
information on his whereabouts should report to ICPC Headquarters Abuja, any of
the ICPC state offices or the nearest police station.”
The anti-graft agency
however, on its Twitter page on December 14, 2019 disclosed that Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had intervened in the matter.
The tweet read,
“Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has
guaranteed the appearance of Hon. Shehu Koko Mohammed who represents Koko/Besse
Federal Constituency declared wanted by ICPC.
“The commission
accepts the assurance while it looks forward to seeing the honourable member by
Monday, 16th December, 2019.
“Hon. Mohammed had
failed to perfect his administrative bail and ignored the commission’s
invitations.”
After that period, the
outcome of the investigation was not made public anymore and Koko has since
returned to the House of Representatives to continue his duty as a legislator.
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