Investing.com - Financial Markets Worldwide
Black Friday is Now! Don’t miss out on up to 60% OFF InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Nigerian official collapses during televised Niger Delta corruption hearing

Published 20/07/2020, 18:20

By Camillus Eboh
ABUJA, July 20 (Reuters) - A Nigerian official collapsed on
Monday during a televised parliamentary hearing held as part of
an investigation into allegations of mismanagement at an
organisation with a remit to foster economic development in the
oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Daniel Pondei, acting managing director of the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC), was taken to hospital after
slumping forward in his chair during the session, in which he
gave evidence to the panel.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives, the lower chamber
of parliament, are investigating alleged corruption around
procurement at the NDDC, a government body, over 20 years. The
probe was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari in October.
Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta heartland remains
impoverished despite providing most of the oil produced in
Africa's biggest crude exporter. Oil is Nigeria's main export
and the mainstay of its economy, the continent's largest.
Earlier, Pondei told the panel: "There is no money missing
in NDDC since I took over in February this year. Everything we
have done are in accordance with the laid-down procedures."
After he fainted, people around Pondei rushed to sit him
upright, using handkerchiefs as fans and forcing his mouth open
in an apparent attempt to ensure he was not choking.
"I have asked my doctor to follow, go to the hospital where
he is and report back," House of Representatives Speaker Femi
Gbajabiamila later told the panel.
Giving evidence to the panel for the first time, Minister
for Niger Delta affairs Godswill Akpabio said Nigeria's Bureau
for Public Procurement (BPP) had given its approval for an audit
by international firm Ernst & Young.


Latest comments

Install Our App
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.