After Police Detention, APC Chieftain Apologises To Akpabio, Barau Over $10m Bribery Claim

Alwan Hassan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has publicly apologised to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin after accusing them of collecting a $10 million bribe to halt the confirmation of the appointment of Abdullahi Ramat as chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by the Senate.

Hassan’s apology comes barely a week after the Senate threatened legal action over the allegation.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Hassan traced the controversy to his push for Ramat’s confirmation as NERC chairman.

Hassan admitted that in the heat of his advocacy, he granted interviews where he made “disparaging claims” against the Senate leadership and repeated rumours alleging they had accepted a $10 million bribe, claims he now said were based on misleading conversations and false assumptions.

“I also referenced a claim alleging that they received $10 million in bribes to stall Ramat’s confirmation. That allegation came from conversations I had while trying to understand the issues. I have since come to realise that the claim was not only untrue, but unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership,” he said.

The APC chieftain disclosed that he has since withdrawn the allegation and was willing to tender a full public apology to the Senate, Akpabio and Barau. He also appealed to lawmakers to “look beyond his recent excesses” and revisit Ramat’s stalled nomination before the Senate.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Senate, through its spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, had earlier dismissed the bribery accusation. He insisted that the Senate received no bribe, explaining that Ramat’s confirmation was put on hold due to several public and private complaints against his nomination.

“Many nominees have stepped down due to such public outcry. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exception,” Adaramodu said, adding that the Senate intended to compel Hassan to tender evidence in court.

Hassan, however, said his remarks were driven by “passion and advocacy gone too far,” and thanked his supporters who stood by him during his interaction with the police.