PDP demands investigation of Lai Mohammed in NBC N2.5bn scandal

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to extend its investigation beyond the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Is’haq Kawu Modibbo, in the N2.5 billion NBC scandal to the N13.1 million NBC loan scandal linked to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

The PDP demanded thorough open investigation into the alleged roles of some top officials of the Buhari Presidency, including the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in the N2.5 billion NBC scandal.

The PDP in a statement in Abuja declared: “This further exposes how corruption has become endemic at the NBC under the direct supervision of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who has not yet cleared his name on the N13.1 million NBC loan scandal since May 2016.

“The party, therefore, urges the ICPC to go beyond the N2.5 billon NBC fraud and investigate the allegations that Alhaji Lai Mohammed abused the privilege of his office by approving a letter from his office requesting the NBC, an agency under his supervision, to advance a loan of N13.1 million to his ministry for a purported official assignment in China.

“The demand, which was against budgetary approvals, principle of TSA and the anti-corruption claims of the government he represents, has not been investigated and culprits prosecuted, even when it was clear that it corrupted the agency in converting it into a lending institution, against our financial regulations and the laws that established the NBC.

“The PDP insists that the failure by the Buhari Presidency to investigate and if found answerable prosecute Alhaji Lai Mohammed for this alleged act of manifest corruption shows how the Buhari Presidency has been concealing humongous corruption and sharp practices being perpetrated by APC leaders and cronies of Mr. President in the ministries, departments and agencies.”

The party noted that Alhaji Lai Mohammed is a spokesperson of the Buhari administration, which claims to be committed to the fight against corruption.

“He cannot, in all honesty, hold such a position with this allegation still hanging around his neck.

 “This is more so as allegations are rife in the public space that agencies in the Ministry of Information and Culture now reek of corrupt and sharp practices in the last three years,” PDP declared.