The Police have interrogated Alwan Hassan over allegations that Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and his Deputy, Barau I. Jibrin, received a $10 million bribe to stop the confirmation of Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Alwan, speaking in Kano last week, alleged that key players in the power sector bribed the two presiding officers to block Ramat’s confirmation.
“As usual, Nigerians must enjoy the services they pay for. In doing that, the Gencos and Discos became jittery. There is a strong allegation that the Gencos and Discos, the players in the industry, bribed Akpabio and Barau $10 million to subvert his confirmation,” he claimed.
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Police sources confirmed that Alwan was invited to provide further details, including those involved and the circumstances of the alleged payment.
“It is based on the allegation against the President of the Senate and his Deputy. Let him expatiate further on the allegations — who are the industry players; when and where the money was given? Let him furnish us with all this information,” the source said.
The Senate had earlier dismissed the allegation as false and malicious.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the suspension of Ramat’s confirmation was due to several public and private petitions filed against him.
“The Senate is statutorily bound to pause consideration of any nominee facing serious public petitions or controversies. Many nominees in the past have been stepped down for similar reasons. Mr. Ramat’s case is no exception,” he said.
Adaramodu added that the National Assembly would not allow its integrity to be undermined.
“We will engage Mr. Alwan in court to provide Nigerians with evidence to support his assertions,” he stated.