Former speaker house of reps , now ministerial nominee, Patricia Etteh has been cleared of any wrongdoing. "There is no record or proceedings of the House where Patricia Olubunmi Etteh was ever indicted," read a motion hastily put up at the request of Ms Etteh. The motion was unanimously approved by the House.
Etteh who gave a speech during their emotional valedictory session, sang and recounted the
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allegations that led to her removal as Speaker in 2007. She urged her colleagues to proclaim her innocence since she had never been indicted after four years.
"I am saying this before this House and Almighty God that a kobo of this House or the government is not in my account," she said, ironically drawing applause from the same colleagues who moved against her.
"I came here in 1999; I have never stolen one kobo that belongs either to this House or the government. What happened , (and) the rest is now history."
Ms Etteh said any decision taken while she was in charge, was a joint decision, repeatedly challenging her colleagues to provide evidence to the contrary.
"A committee was set and till date, I have not heard anything. I have not been indicted. I want this House to pass a resolution before closing; if I am guilty, they should not hide it," she added.
The House subsequently passed the resolution clearing her of wrongdoing, but offered no apology for her loss of the speakership, or the allegations.
Without an indictment or a report, the allegations against Ms Etteh, are now viewed to have been politically motivated-a theme which she leaned towards yesterday. Moreover, the charges are said to have been raised when the money was not spent but was only budgeted. After leaving office, Ms Etteh, herself, stayed off discussing the matter or calling for a discharge, but has consistently directed her fury at the media, blaming journalists for allegedly hyping the episode.
"I will advise you people to publish the truth so that it will be well with you," Ms Etteh said yesterday, looking directly to the television cameras after her speech. Many lawmakers including the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, joined the former speaker in issuing harsh words to members of the news media.
"Most of the problems that this outgoing House has faced came from the media," Mr Gbajabiamila ridiculously claimed.
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