Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
The House of Representatives committee on Public Petition investigating allegations of corruption against Nsima Ekere, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court, Abuja and Ricky Tafa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has summoned the trio to appear before it on Tuesday to defend the allegations against them.
In a letter of summon obtained by our reporter, the Committee mandated them to appear before the House in person or with their counsel.
The summon followed an earlier petition written to the House of Representatives by one Leo Ekpenyong urging the House to investigate allegations of bribery against the trio
The petition reads partly, “It would be recalled that sometime in September 2015, Nsima Ekere approached our principal, Chief Leo Ekpenyong and complained about a fraudulent transaction, alleging that Ricky Tafa (SAN) received a whopping one hundred million naira from him with a view to winning a case with suit No FCT/HC/CV/765/2014, denoted as Ime Ekanem Vs P.D.P. Udom Emmanuel and others.
“Nsima Ekere further alleged that his understanding with Ricky Tafa was that a refund of the said one hundred million naira would be made should Ricky Tafa fail to win the case.
“Our background check revealed that in truth the one hundred million naira paid to Ricky Tafa was not legal fees as legal fees for this suit aforementioned was lodged in a Zenith Bank account with the name, Ricky Tafa and company.
“Furthermore, our legal fee as agreed with Nsima Ekere is ten million naira, on recovery. We proceeded and recovered seventy million naira cash from Ricky Tafa.”
He said as soon as Ricky Tafa paid the said sum, “We delivered same to Nsima Ekere in his former Asokoro residence, whereupon he reneged to pay our agreed legal fee. After weeks of entreaties, he reluctantly paid seven million naira, the balance is history till date.
He therefore urged the House committee to investigate the issue in line with the change mantra of the current administration
