Senate bribery scandal: Prominent senators fingered

By Sanya Adejokun

and Abdul Jelil

Daily Independent, Abuja

Contrary to denials by National Assembly officials, prominent senators are being mentioned in connection with the controversial bribery allegations made recently by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, against some senators.

Sources at the National Assembly said el-Rufai's allegations may not be out of place as many other nominees have similar tales to tell, although specific role each senator played was not disclosed.

El-Rufai had two weeks ago alleged that some senators approached him for bribe before he could be cleared as President Olusegun Obasanjo's nominee as a minister.

Daily Independent's investigations revealed that some powerful senators operating as a syndicate might have threatened many of the ministerial nominees to either play ball or have their names rejected from the list.

Defeated All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) Chairmanship candidate, Senator Saidu Dansandau and Osariemen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are two voices calling for a probe into the allegation.

Osunbor said the allegation would remain unsubstantiated until el-Rufai came out with the names of the senators.

Former Education Minister, Prof. Balalola Borisade was alleged to have paid some amount which was considered paltry by the clique and so, was not cleared for ministerial appointment by the Senate.

A particular female nominee equally refused to pay the N50 million demanded from her but her sponsor was said to have paid on her behalf.

Another former minister from the North East was also alleged to have been compelled to pay the money.

Senator Liyel Imoke allegedly bluntly refused to pay, but instead, reported the clique to the Akwa Ibom/ Cross Rivers National Assembly caucus.

The caucus leader, Senator Udo Udoma, was said to have been greatly angered by the revelation and raised the issue with the Senate President.

Sources close to the Senate maintained that although Senate President Adolphus Wabara was aware of the developments and was against the clique, he was, however, helpless because of the calibre of senators involved.