Reps summon Bankole over fraud allegations

Dimeji Bankole, the speaker of the House of Representatives, is to respond today to fresh allegations of fraud raised against him by his colleagues in an unprecedented move which has further highlighted the cracks within the house, barely weeks to its end of session.

Mr Bankole is expected to answer to allegations that he raised unauthorised loans from a bank - which in a way has led to the delay in the payment of members' allowances - and that he unilaterally ordered the suspension of the house's sitting last week.

Lawmakers agreed to delay a proposal for Mr Bankole's suspension until he personally answers to the accusations raised by Dino Melaye, the leader of a group of 11 members suspended last year for a similar allegation.

The speaker was also criticised for his decision to "unceremoniously" adjourn the house sitting last week, and for locking out members yesterday as they reported for plenary without notice.

"This house is a house of order and what happened is a breach of the rules of this house," Mr. Melaye told his colleagues when the house finally convened late afternoon after the deputy speaker, Usman Nafada, who presided, intervened. "There is leadership failure except you don't want to speak the truth." The rare decision, coming as the house draws nearer to its final plenary date of June 4, showcased the financial crisis that have rocked the lower federal legislature that has been troubled throughout its four year tenure, with scarcely investigated graft allegations.