The Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Kemebradikumo Pondei, on Monday, collapsed during the investigative hearing by the House of Representatives on alleged financial malpractices at the commission involving N40 billion.
Members of the committee had asked Pondie to explain the N642 million paid to a company known as Clear Point Communication, and N536 million paid for Save Life Campaign in the Niger Delta region and to prove that they were all budged for in the 2019 Appropriation Act.
Pondie, in his reply, told the lawmakers that N642 million paid to Clear Point Communication was to train locals and to help locate and identify NDDC projects in the area.
On the second question bordering on N536 million, however, he could not confirm that the payments were budgeted for.
He therefore asked lawmakers to give him time to provide the budget.
It was in the process that Pondie collapsed, sweating profusely.
He was carried out for medical attention.
The hearing was then adjourned for 30 minutes to enable all members and guests go for tea break.
The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Olulbunmi Tunji-Ojo, had recused himself from the investigation following the accusation on Thursday that he was not fit to chair the probe committee.
Pondei said he had been accused of involvement in the alleged fraud, hence could not preside over a case he was said to be involved.
Pondei therefore led his team from NDDC to walk out on the committee.
