The House of Representatives has strongly denied allegations of collecting $15 million from the executive arm to approve President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for restructuring the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means Advances taken from the Central Bank of Nigeria. According to the House’s spokesperson, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, such allegations are baseless and unfounded, emphasizing that the House’s actions were taken in the public interest.
It will be recalled that the House had initially deferred the approval of the executive’s request based on the recommendations of relevant committees. The committees had called for more engagements with the executive for proper deliberations on public interventions earmarked for the said request.
In light of the foregoing, Kalu called on the media to exercise utmost caution and professionalism in reporting such news. He stressed that false claims and unfounded allegations should not be peddled, especially at a time when lawmakers are engrossed in competition for positions in the forthcoming 10th National Assembly.