ICPC summons Ogun Speaker over alleged cars scandal’… No, I was invited for lecture’

By DAUD OLATUNJI

ABEOKUTA— Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi has been summoned by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) over alleged car scam.

Vanguard gathered that, the Speaker would be a guest of the Commission following a petition written against him over 28 official cars proposed to be purchased for the lawmakers.

Confirming the development, the Resident Media Consultant of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Folu Olamiti told newsmen in Abeokuta, on Sunday that Adekunbi has been summoned.

Vanguard, however, gathered that the Clerk of the House, Mr. Muyiwa Adenopo, the deputy clerk and some other principal officers of the Assembly have also been summoned by ICPC.

Findings showed that, they were invited over an alleged contract inflation of 28 Toyota Avensis cars bought for the 26 members of the Assembly and two principal officers as official vehicles at N6m each.

The Speaker and others invited are expected to appear before the Head of Investigation Unit of the ICPC in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Speaker has denied being summoned, saying he was rather invited for a lecture on ‘Red Card to Corruption in Nigeria’ taking place in Abeokuta.

Adekunbi who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Waheed Akinola, said, “how could ICPC have invited him as a guest lecturer if he has a case bordering on graft to answer. It is just the handiwork of our detractors.”