The House of Representatives has refuted the news making the rounds that a thief broke into the office of a lawmaker and stole monies including US dollars and office equipment advising the public to disregard the news as it is “inaccurate.”
Some media outfits (Not EPARLIAMENT) had reported that one Kabir Muhammed Lawal who claimed to be a Legislative Assistant to a lawmaker was caught at the House of Representative wing of the National Assembly Complex after a CCTV footage caught him “burgling” the office or a lawmaker where he allegedly carted away some office equipment and foreign currencies.
However, a press statement issued on Saturday evening by the Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) described the earlier media account of the incident as “mischievous” and “a non-factual report”
According to Hon. Kalu “the claims by these media houses that the suspect broke into the office of a member of the House of Representatives and made away with hard currency, computers, a photocopy machine and printers are untrue. The only item found to be missing following the unfortunate incident was a carton of toner which was immediately recovered. One wonders which legislator would keep funds in the office, when they do not have enough to take care of the various constituency needs and unending demands from constituents.”
The House Spokesman, stated that it was only a “carton of toner” that was recovered from the burglar. While admitting the concern of the leadership and members of the House of Representatives on the incidences of security breaches in the National Assembly Complex, the Spokesman expressed the satisfaction the House with the steps being taken by the Sergeant-at-Arms to forestall further security breaches in the expansive complex.
“While concerned about the recent security breaches, the House wishes to assure the public that efforts are presently underway to update the surveillance systems at the National Assembly Complex. Our recent initiative to digitize the National Assembly extends beyond the plenary chambers and includes access to the premises, offices and meeting rooms of the legislators. The sergeant at arms and other security agencies have been asked to step up on their duties towards protecting the lives and properties of members at the complex and we have confidence in the steps they have taken so far,” the spokesman stated. By Moses Idika.
