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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.


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