EFCC Ready To Probe Bankole Over N10b Loan Scandal

There are indications that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole would be quizzed soon by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the controversial N10 billion loan obtained by the House.

The loan scandal is currently rocking the House, with Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and some members of the House such as Dino Melaye calling for a probe.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS this morning, spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi confirmed that the anti-graft agency has received a petition against Bankole regarding the scam and that it is being given speedy consideration.

According to Babafemi, “the EFCC is in receipt of a petition calling for the probe of the Speaker of the House of Representatives over an alleged N10 billion scam. We as a commission have always done our job without undue delays. I pledge the readiness of this commission to commence investigation of the matter very soon bearing in mind that the tenure of the present crop of legislators will lapse very soon. We will investigate the matter.”

Sources said the controversial loan is part of the severance package for legislators in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

Their tenure ends next week and the legislators may leave empty-handed if funds could not be raised from alternative sources to provide the much needed cash to pay the severance package.

The embattled Bankole’s efforts to raise the money through alternative means have so far failed following an order by the Central Bank Governor, Malam Lamido Sanusi that banks should not honour any loan request by the House leadership.

—Nnamdi Felix/Abuja