Drama As NDDC Acting MD Walks Out On Reps, Declared Wanted

The Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee(IMC) the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei damned all consequences and walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC on Thursday.

He said he and the team were not prepared to make any presentation before the committee.

Addressing the committee, Mr Pondei said: “We in the NDDC is not comfortable with the Chairman of this committee, presiding over a matter.

“He is an accused party, the NDDC has over time accused Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo of different crimes against the NDDC and he has responded in the press.

“He is an intrested party and we do not believe that the NDDC can have justice because he cannot seat on his own case.

“We have no issue of appearing, we appeared before the Senate ad hoc committee and as long as he reminds, we will not make any presentation,” he said.

Pondei had abjected to Chairman of the Committee, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presiding over the investigative hearing, insisting he cannot preside over a matter in which he is an accused.

Members of the Committee, including Benjamin Kali, Ben Ibakpa and Shehu Koko, told the Acting MD that since there was no document before them, he is constitutionally bound to answer their queries.

While members were still making contribution on the issue, the Acting MD sought permission to leave and walked out before the committee could grant or reject his request.

Reacting to the embarrassment, furious members of the Committee accused the Interim Management Committee have declared him wanted after issuing a warrant of arrest order against him

The Committee also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on its Chairman.

Details shortly…