Institute board chairman writes Gbaja, threatens to sue reps for ‘defamation’

Daniel Onjeh, board chairman of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), has threatened to sue the house of representatives for alleged defamation.

In a letter dated February 11 and addressed to Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, Onjeh said a motion adopted by the lawmakers is capable of putting his reputation at stake.

On Tuesday, the lower legislative chamber passed a motion directing the institute to stop all procurement activities in the 2020 budget, owing to allegations of corruption.

The motion was sponsored by Henry Nwawuba, a lawmaker from Imo state.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the suspension of Charles Agulanna, PRODA director-general, for alleged corruption.

In the letter, Onjeh said the house should have crosschecked its information, before adopting the motion.

“I wish to inform the House of Representatives and the general public that I am not under any form of investigation in relation to my stewardship as Chairman of PRODA, and that public/civil servants who get penalised with suspension or dismissal are invariably those who had been either suspected or indicted of an act of gross misconduct,” the letter reads.

“It is equally worthy of mention that I chaired the Board that spearheaded the investigation of the suspended director-general/CEO of PRODA, Engr. Dr. Charles Agulanna, and it was upon the establishment of a prima facie evidence against him on allegations bordering on misappropriation, contract splitting, nepotism, insubordination, concealment of official records, amongst others.

“It has become imperative for me to clear the air on this matter and to set the records straight, because the deliberate misinformation being peddled by the house of representatives that I had been suspended as chairman of PRODA is capable of putting my hard-earned reputation at stake.

“I wish to demand a public apology from the Federal House of Representatives, as well as a retraction of the deliberate falsehood and misinformation that I had been suspended as PRODA Chairman on the directive of Mr. President.

“I have put my lawyer on notice, as I intend to file charges against the House of Representatives for defamation of my character.”