The Police have questioned Alwan Hassan, the man who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his Deputy, Barau Jibrin, of receiving a $10 million bribe to block the confirmation of Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Alwan, in an interview in Kano last week, alleged that influential actors in the power sector; the Gencos and Discos paid the Senate leadership to stop Ramat’s confirmation.

“There is a serious claim that the Gencos and Discos paid Akpabio and Barau $10 million to undermine his confirmation. Nigerians must enjoy the services they pay for, and that is why the industry players became jittery,” he said.

Reports indicated that the police summoned Alwan to provide evidence supporting the accusations he made against the two top Senate officials.

“It is based on the allegation against the President of the Senate and his Deputy. Let him explain further who are the industry players, when was the money given, and where? We need him to provide all this information,” police revealed.

The Senate had earlier dismissed the bribery claim as false.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, dismissed the claim as deliberately misleading.

He explained that the Senate suspended Ramat’s screening because of several petitions and complaints filed against him, not because of any bribe.

“The Senate is obligated to halt the confirmation process for any nominee who is involved in major public complaints or controversies. Many nominees before him have stepped down for similar reasons. Mr. Ramat’s case is no different,” Adaramodu said.

The Senate spokesperson added that the National Assembly would not allow what he called blackmail to tarnish its reputation.

“No one can drag the National Assembly into disrepute with unfounded claims. We intend to take Mr. Alwan to court to allow him to provide evidence to the Nigerians,” he said.