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HEDA says it is necessary for the ICPC to investigate Gbajabiamila's spending
if in line with his salary as a lawmaker
- The group says Gbajabiamila's action
was insensitive to flaunt such extravagant lifestyle before his constituents
who earned a paltry N18,000 minimum wage
- HEDA says Gbajabiamila's
constituency projects should also be probed The Independent Corrupt Practices
and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been urged to probe the
spending of Femi Gbajabiamila,
House of Representatives member for Surulere 1
Federal Constituency. The call was made by Human and Environmental Development
Agenda (HEDA), a non-governmental and non-partisan human rights resource centre
on Monday, June 18.
Sahara Reporters said HEDA made the call in a press
statement sent to media houses. A letter signed by HEDA's chairman Olanrewaju
Suraju has been forwarded to the anti-corruption agency.
HEDA expressed worries
over Gbajabiamila’s gift to his wife and wondered if the House of Reps member,
who is the Majority Leader of the lower house of legislature, was spending
within his legitimate salaries as a lawmaker. The letter read in part:
"According to Vanguard of May 28th and 29th 2018, Honourable Femi
Gbajabiamila has been reported to have surprised his wife, with a gift of
Mercedes G-Wagon, selling for between N75M and 100M in Nigeria.
"The gift
on the 27th May, 2018 was to commemorate the wife’s 50th birthday. He was also
reported to have rocked a N1.2M Gucci suit when giving this gift to his wife.
The stylish Gucci Heritage web tape crepe wool jacket that costs $3,450,
approximately N1.2M.
"His intention could have been right but in a country
where the minimum wage is N18, 000, with hunger and unemployed youths roaming
the streets, his actions were seen as insensitive to Nigerians especially from
his Surulere Constituency.
"HEDA Resource Centre believes
that no room must be opened for any person to abuse public trust while in
public office. Corrupt practices and misapplication of public funds must be
abolished in all fronts by relevant government agencies charge with the
responsibilities of investigating allegation or suspicions of corrupt
practices.
"On this account, HEDA is calling on your good office to open a
wide investigation into the utilization of funds for capital projects allocated
to Surulere 1 Federal Constituency under Honourable Gbajabiamila to ensure and
convince discerning Nigerians that public funds were not used for private
family services and benefits by people elected into offices for service.
"
Recall that we had also reported that Gbajabiamila dusted Nigerian singer
Davido’s assurance to girlfriend Chioma when the Majority Leader of the 8th
House of Representatives blessed his wife, Yemisi, with a glittering brand new
Benz G-Wagon of yellow colour.
The state-of-the-art luxury car is valued at
over N100 million. The gift was to commemorate her 50th birthday.
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