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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for a thorough investigation of the allegation of bribery made by the Director General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, against some members of the House of Representatives.
Oteh, had on Thursday accused the Chairman, Capital Market Committee of the House, Mr Hernan Hembe, of demanding for money from her to fund the ongoing public hearing on the capital market.
Mr Adebamigbe Omole, Chairman, NBA, Ikeja branch, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ikeja that the allegation must be investigated.
Omole said: "Before somebody in the capacity of the SEC DG can make such an allegation, she must have some facts.
"This allegation has again re-enforced the NBA's belief that corrupt practices by some Nigerian politicians is the bane of our under-development.
"The issue should not be swept under the carpet and we are calling on the anti-graft agencies, to as a matter of urgency, begin a probe of those involved in the allegation," he said.
Omole urged Hembe to step down as the chairman of the committee, pending the conclusion of investigations into the allegation.
In his reaction, Mr Mohammed Fawehimin, son of late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, lauded Oteh for "her bravery".
"Oteh has pedigree, she is intelligent and did what most Nigerians, including men, would never have done.
"It takes serious bones for anyone to do it."
Fawehinmi told NAN that Oteh's allegations would make the lawmakers to sit up.
Reacting, acting national president of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr Igho Akeregha, said Hembe should imediately step aside.
Akeregha told NAN that a probe must be instituted based on the allegations and that the committee must suspend its probe until they prove their innocence.
However, Chief Maxi Okwu, the National Coordinator of the Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN)-- an association of opposition political parties-- said Oteh's counter attack was belated.
"Why did she not blow the whistle when it happened? She compounded the issue and have a case to answer," Okwu told NAN.
He urged the EFCC to quickly move in and arrest everyone involved in the matter, including Oteh. (NAN)
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