The acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, has collapsed on Monday during ongoing grilling by the House of Representatives committee on NDDC.
Pondei fainted where he was seated as members of the House Committee on NDDC grilled over him for about 45 minutes.
The controversy had seen strong allegations of corruption traded between the Minister and the former MD of the NDDC, Joi Nunei, who appeared before the lawmakers via Zoom on Friday.
But it took a new dimension on Monday,when Pondei slowly slumped over his desk, appearing to faint following over 45minute grilling by the committee.
Once he was spotted, several people present at the hearing rushed to his aid, propping him up and attempting to stabilise him, with the proceedings halted.
He then appeared to be in a seizure with a man, holding open his mouth as others held him upright. After he appeared to regain and lose composure intermittently, he was moved out of the session.
The development led to a brief discussion about the next step to take. A move to have the session adjourned was shouted before the Deputy Chairman of the Committee called for a 30-minute recess.
The acting MD had walked out during the first hearing, claiming he would not have a fair hearing if Bunmi Tunji-Bello remained Chairman of the Committee.
The hearing was then rescheduled for Monday, July 20th, with the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio also summoned by the Reps
Earlier, Tunji-Bello stepped down as Chairman of the Investigative Panel, over Pondei’s allegation that he was on a revenge mission.
