There was mild drama at the sitting of the Senate Committee on Local Content after former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, walked out of an investigative hearing.
The committee, chaired by Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (Delta South), is probing a widely circulated publication alleging the diversion of $14.8 million involving the former Bayelsa governor and ex-minister. The Senator representing Bayelsa West, accused the panel of conducting a selective inquiry” targeted at former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
Trouble began when Senator Dickson objected to the line of questioning, insisting that the committee must “look into the totality of the funds and the entire financial transactions” rather than dwelling solely on allegations linked to Sylva
Responding, Senator Joel-Onowakpo rejected the claims of bias, insisting the committee had no interest in targeting anyone. Following the contentious session, the committee resolved to re-summon the NCDMB Executive Secretary to provide further detailed explanations at a later date.
