Femi Otedola,
Chairman Zenon Petroleum and Oil Limited on Tuesday appeared before the House
Committee on
Ethics and Privileges to substantiate the alleged $620,000 collected by
embattled Farouk
Lawan, former
chairman Adhoc committee that investigated fuel subsidy regime.
Otedola, who came
in his traditional white native guinea brocade with some legal luminary and
principal
officials, in a paper made available to us, expressed dismay over the committee's
decision to question him in secret.
He said "this
is a matter that has generated a lot of public interest and controversy. The
House of
Representatives
Committee on the management of fuel subsidy headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan held
all
its sittings in
public. When this issue arose, the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics
and
Privileges
publicly stated that its investigations will be held in public.
"It is
therefore surprising and curious that this committee has made a u-turn to hold
its investigative sittings in-camera
particularly in the light of unfolding events.
"I strongly
believe that the interest of the public will not be best served if this
investigation is held
in-camera. I have
nothing to hide and will only speak on this issue when this investigation is
conducted in a very transparent manner and press as well as the general public
are allowed to be present at the sittings of this committee from the beginning
of its investigation to its conclusion."
Speaking earlier,
Adams Dan-Gambo, chairman House Committee on Ethics and Privileges assured that
the committee will treat the issue without fear or favour but be fair to all
the parties involved.
He promised that
the committee will do justice in the course of discharging its duty.
After declaring
the event open, Dan-Gambo asked all the newsmen to vacate the room while the resolved
into closed door session where Otedola and his team will respond to questions
on the
allegation. It
would be recalled that Farouk Lawan also testified before the committee at
closed door last Thursday.