Northern groups to NASS:  Probe Ikenga-led committees corruption allegation 

The Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF) Tuesday called on the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, to launch a comprehensive investigation into Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga- led disbanded committee on oil industry, following alarming allegations of bribery and corruption.

Hon. Ikenga, who was a co-chairman of a recently disbanded committee overseeing the oil industry, was accused of soliciting a substantial financial bribe and boasting about paying $1.7 million to secure his committee chairmanship.

Addressing the press in Kaduna, the forum expressed deep concern over the accusations, which they claimed threaten to erode public trust in Nigeria’s legislative process. The stakeholders added that such misconduct not only undermines the integrity of the National Assembly but also poses a serious risk to the nation’s democratic foundations.

In the briefing read by spokesperson of the forum,  Comrade Ali Mohammed Sani in the presence of key forum members including the convener, Yerima Shettima, secretary general, Comrade Danjuma Paul, and Patron Abdulazeez Suleiman, they  highlighted the potential consequences of the disbanded committee’s actions.

They warned that if left unaddressed, the alleged misconduct could undermine the trust of the Nigerian populace in their elected officials and in the legislative framework that governs the country.

The forum further stated  that its ongoing investigations uncovered deeply troubling patterns of behaviour by Hon. Ikenga. The group said, “As recently as July 4, 2024, unusual activities were reported around the House of Representatives premises. Subsequent inquiries allegedly revealed that Hon. Ikenga had engaged private investigators to gather compromising information for the purpose of blackmailing the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kalu Benjamin.”