Speaker Dimeji Bankole
In the Wikileaks cable, first reported by 234Next, Mr. Bankole also castigated Farida Waziri of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as well as explained why former ruler, Umaru Yar’adua, and former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, would not allow the proper prosecution of James Ibori, the embattled former governor of Delta State who is now in Dubai awaiting extradition to the UK.
As soon as 234Next published the cable, Naija News Desk contacted two aides of Mr. Bankole seeking their reaction.
One of the aides declined to comment, but another told our correspondent that the speaker planned to vehemently deny and discredit the contents of the cable on the grounds that Wikileaks cables are not reliable. In addition, the aide stated that the US embassy would never officially confirm or deny the contents of the leaked cable, a factor, he said, that was in the speaker’s favor.
In a hastily written statement issued today, Mr. Bankole did not deny that the meeting with the then American ambassador took place. However, the statement, which was signed by Kayode Odunaro, claimed that the meeting between Mr. Bankole and Ms. Sanders lasted only 20 minutes.
Mr. Bankole’s version differs from the American account as revealed in the Wikileaks cable. The cable detailed how the American ambassador held a two-hour private meeting with the speaker on May 9, 2009 to discuss a range of subjects.
The full text of Mr. Bankole’s statement:
The attention of the Office of Speaker, House of Representatives has been drawn to the publication in some media quoting “Wikileaks” alleging that Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Speaker of House of Representatives says that Supreme Court judges took bribes to validate Yar’Adua/Jonathan election as well as describing EFCC as “not worth a penny”!
We deny in strongest terms that Speaker Bankole ever made such allegations or statement against respected justices of the Supreme Court and the anti-corruption agency, EFCC in any meeting with the then US Ambassador, Ms. Robin Sanders. The official meeting Ms. Sanders had with Mr. Speaker was in presence of leadership of the House and did not last more than 20 minutes. It is a lie that Mr. Speaker had a two hour private meeting with Ms. Sanders.
The Office of the Speaker challenges US officials to authenticate this wild allegations that strike at the integrity of Nigeria judicial institution and its foremost anti-corruption agencies.
It is an open an open secret the cordial relationship that existed between the late President Yar’Adua and the Speaker aside the fact that he is part of the Yar’adua government. He could not have made an allegation against the justices which impugn on the Yar’adua government.
We are however surprised that any Nigerian medium could give credence to and publish what in essence could be mere gossip and unconfirmed summary of diplomats trying to get a grip of issues on-going in their host countries for their home government.
We want to counsel media organizations that such sensational allegations bordering on crime against the highest judicial officers of the land and its foremost anticorruption agencies should be handled more responsibly with full and verifiable authentication from all parties in the interest of protecting the institution of judiciary, the last hope of the common man.
Signed:
Chief Kayode Odunaro
Special Adviser (Communications)
Speaker, House of Representatives
March 7, 2011
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