THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, to appear before an investigative panel over the N10 billion loan rocking the House.

Sources in Abuja told the Nigerian Tribune that the EFCC, in a letter signed by the head of operations on behalf of the commission’s chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri, asked Bankole to appear before the investigative panel probing the alleged loan, which pitted honourable members against Bankole on their resumption on May 3.

Some members of the House had threatened to impeach Bankole on account of the N10 billion loan which stalled the payment of allowances of Rep members for the last quarter in the outgoing session.

Sources in the National Assembly told the Nigerian Tribune that Bankole was being investigated in respect of a petition sent to the EFCC by a group which complained that the country was being shortchanged over the alleged loan obtained by the House of Representatives under Bankole.

It was gathered that the letter summoning Bankole asked him to appear on Thursday (tomorrow) by 10.00 a.m.

Said the source: “Basically, the summon extended to Bankole has to do with a petition brought to the commission about two weeks ago over the N10 billion loan. The commission wants to get to the root of this matter and that is why a panel has been set up to question him.”

Another petition by workers of the Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL) has also linked Bankole’s father, Chief Alani Bankole, with what they called illegal purchase of the NET building, Lagos.

It was gathered that NITEL staff petitioned the EFCC some weeks ago, asking it to probe the source of the N4 billion used by Alani Bankole to buy NITEL House, Lagos.

“It (Bankole’s invitation before the EFCC) is aimed at straightening the issues contained in the petitions. The EFCC is being asked to determine the source of funds used by Chief Alani Bankole to buy the NITEL House in Lagos and the source of the N10 billion loan said to have been obtained by Honourable Bankole on behalf of the House of Representatives.

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