EFCC quizzes PDP deputy chair over Siemens scandal

Written by Daily Trust Wednesday, 26 May 2010

ShareDeputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Communication Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday to explain his alleged role in the 17.5million Euros Siemens bribery scandal.

Mohammed arrived at the EFCC office five hours behind schedule after consulting with top members of the ruling party and paying a visit to the Aso Villa, it was learnt.

Mohammed was quizzed by operatives around 3.30pm but was later released on self- recognition, Daily Trust learnt yesterday.

Although his invitation was for 10am, a senior official in the commission said Mohammed sent his lawyer earlier to explain that he would be late for the appointment.

According to a source, “He (Mohammed) has admitted to receiving gratification but claimed the party (PDP) was a major beneficiary. His meeting with PDP members and visit to Aso Villa was to ask for their support and beg for soft landing.”  Another former minister of communication Maj. Gen. Olanrewaju is expected to appear before the EFCC today from Lagos while Chief Adebayo has sought the permission of EFCC to attend to his health in Canada.

All three including late Haruna Elewi were Ministers of Communication under different regimes alleged to have received slush sums to facilitate telecom contracts between 1997 to 2007. Olanrewaju served in the regime of late General Sani Abacha, others were part of the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

EFCC’s spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed that more than fifteen top public officials would be interrogated before Friday as invitations have been sent to them to explain what roles they played in the scam for which the German company was fined $248m. A source told Daily Trust that another former minister Sen. Jibril Aminu, former managing directors of the Nigerian Telecommunications Company (NITEL) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), among others, are also expected to appear before the EFCC for questioning.

The source said all suspects indicted at the end of the investigation would be prosecuted. Babafemi said the investigation is “a process that has just begun. I am aware that one of them came today and another is likely to come tomorrow (Tuesday).”

EFCC Chairman Farida Waziri last week Wednesday told journalists in her office that the Commission would request for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Munich court judgment which found two former Siemens managers guilty of bribery to win contracts in Russia and Nigeria.