ABUJA – By Olusegun Lawrence. Nigeria’s Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has said that he can be investigated as controversy over alleged padding of the 2016 budget rages on.
In a statement on Saturday, Dogara said he has been grossly misrepresented in the media of late, insisting that he is not above the law hence, could be investigated accordingly.
He however stressed that he has neither misappropriated or stolen any money as far as 2016 is concerned.
The statement on his twitter handle reads: “I had initially chosen to remain silent, but as an elected representative who values you all, I will speak because communication is key.
“I would like to state for the record that my views have been grossly misrepresented in recent publications in some sections of the media.
“The first was at the State House when I asserted that nothing undertaken by the legislature in the course of the budget process could be alluded to either as “padding” or as an infraction of any law in our great country.
”In the second instance, while responding to questions at the Civil Society Dialogue on Thursday, I made reference to sections 3, 24 and 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act to buttress the point that the legislature, while carrying out constitutional responsibilities, is protected by law.
“I am not above the law, and I would never imply that I cannot be investigated by security agencies or tried by our courts.
“As an officer in the Temple of Justice, I owe unalloyed allegiance to the Judiciary and to all instutions of law enforcement.
”I swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and would defend this with all of my heart.
” I wish to reiterate that no Kobo belonging to Nigerians has been misappropriated, stolen or lost in this budget saga.
”I also hereby call on all Nigerians to be vigilant with respect to the execution of the 2016 budget.
“I further wish to deny any and all other allegations of a personal nature against me. They are fictional and scandalous untruths.
“I also wish to thank you all for the messages of support and encouragement, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
