Bright Iyamu, chairman of the five-person ad hoc committee established by the Edo State House of Assembly to investigate its immediate past speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, has pledged that the probe will be transparent, fair, and free from vendetta. Speaking after the committee’s inauguration on Tuesday in Benin, Iyamu, who represents Orhionmwon South State Constituency, emphasized that the investigation is a normal democratic process and not targeted at any individual.
Investigation Described as Democratic Process, Not a Witch-Hunt
“I want to let you know that it is not a witch-hunt. What you are seeing today, I would say, is the beauty of democracy,” Iyamu stated. “In democracy, the people choose you, when they are also tired of you, they will say, okay, you can go, let’s try somebody else. That is what happened.” He added that the allegations are not yet proven 100 percent, noting, “I cannot measure some of them now, as we go forward, it will begin to unveil.”
The lawmaker, who expressed surprise at being named chairman, committed to leading a thorough and open investigation alongside the other four committee members. “For the former speaker, we are all one in the house of assembly, but that does not mean we cannot do what we are asked to do,” he said. “Today, I am the chairman of the committee. I will do my best to do a thorough job. The other four members and I will work together. We will strategise to make sure that we tell the world the real truth, only the truth.”
Scope of Probe Focuses on Finances and Vehicle Procurement
Regarding the scope of the investigation, Iyamu disclosed that the committee would begin with the house’s finances, particularly vehicle procurement. “We will be looking at the finances. Most of the times, finance is the thing that causes problems in every organisation or institution. So, that is the first thing we will be looking at,” he explained. “We will be looking at whether a vehicle was bought or whatever, whether it went through due process or not.”
He assured that the process would be open to the public and free from bias. “The former speaker is not my enemy; he is my friend, but when I am given a job to do, I do it diligently. We will ensure the investigation is open. We will make everybody understand that this is an open policy. We are not trying to be vindictive,” Iyamu said.
Corruption Allegations Sparked Resignation and Suspension
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the committee, mandated to report back in two weeks, is to investigate allegations of corruption and inflated costs in the purchase of Lexus SUVs and Hilux trucks during Agbebaku’s tenure as speaker. The investigation and subsequent inauguration of the five-member committee followed the resignation and suspension of the former speaker, Agbebaku.
Trouble began for Agbebaku during the plenary on Monday, when allegations of financial impropriety were levelled against him. Key among the allegations was the inflation of procurement costs for official vehicles, including Lexus 570 SUVs and Hilux trucks meant for the lawmakers. Following heated debates and mounting pressure from lawmakers, Agbebaku resigned from office. The house immediately elected Yekini Idaiye as the new speaker.
