The House of Representatives has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate bribery allegations levelled against it.
The lawmakers made the decision while adopting a motion of ‘personal explanation’ by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) at plenary on Tuesday.
On Monday he Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, alleged that it got a report that the leadership of the House was aiming at forcefully passing the compulsory vaccine bill without subjecting it to legislative proceedings.
READ ALSO: Lagos Residents Land In Police Net For Flouting Directives
According to a statement by its spokesperson, Imo Ugochinyere, the body alleged that $10 million was offered by the American billionaire, Bill Gates, to ensure the speedy passage of the bill without recourse to any public hearing.
The group further stated that the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, should be impeached if he forces the bill on members, even though no evidence about the alleged bribe was provided by the group.
Defended his sponsorship of the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, however, Gbajabiamila argued that the content and timing of the bill were appropriate, while also pledged that there would be a public hearing where Nigerians would be given the opportunity to contribute to the draft law.
Meanwhile, the House, adopting the point of order, also resolved to take legal action against an online media organisation for allegedly reporting that the house collected bribe to pass the bill.
While moving the motion, Wase said that he had not collected anything neither was he aware of any member of the house that had collected money from anyone on that account.
Also, the Majority Leader of the house, Alhassan Doguwa, (APC-Kano) said that he saw the report alleging that members were given money to pass the bill.
Doguwa said that he did not collect money from anyone adding that the house was doing its job in line with what was necessary for the safety of the people.
Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila said that issues with such baseless accusation would be given credence when responded to.
He added that the action of the online media had, however, given a reason to regulate social media and online publications.
