Reps urge SEC to stop comments on bribe allegation

March 22, 2012 by Agency Reporter

The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Securities and Exchange Commission to stop issuing public statements on allegations by its Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, that a member of the House, Mr. Hemrna Hembe, asked her for a bribe.
Spokesperson of the House, Zakari Mohammed, told newsmen at a press conference in Abuja that it had become necessary for SEC to allow the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter within 21 days and report back to the leadership.
He also promised that the proceedings of the committee would be broadcast live on television.
“It is necessary that all parties involved in the matter to give the committee the benefit of doubts and wait for its report.
“The committee has 21 days to work on the matter and I can assure you that there will be fair hearing for all the parties involved,” Mohammed said.
Oteh had last Thursday accused Hembe, who is the former chairman of the House of Representatives Commitee on Capital Markets and Other Financial Institutions, of demanding N44 million bribe from the commission to facilitate the public hearing into the downturn in the capital market.