The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating alleged misapplication of over N82 billion Ecological Fund, yesterday, barred journalists from covering its proceedings.

The action, which contravened the open parliament policy of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas comes in the wake of a news report accusing a member of another ad hoc panel probing job racketeering in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of extortion, which has since been denied.

Yesterday, the Clerk of the panel probing utilisation of the ecological funds released to the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Edem Bassey, insisted that the secret hearing was in order.

He added that the decision was at the behest of the committee chairman, Dabo Ismaila Haruna, stating: “As things stand, Speaker Abbas is yet to unveil his legislative agenda.”

Reminded that the Speaker assured Nigerians of an open parliament in his acceptance speech, Bassey said: “I am glad you have mentioned his agenda. We do not need media coverage. If there is a need, we can also do it.

“Already, my chairman had told me we do not want the media, and you know how this place is, it will look somehow.”

Director General of NAGGW, Dr. Yusuf Bukar, in his presentation obtained by journalists, maintained that the sum of N53,425,423,874.34 had so far been released to his organisation since inception.

This, he said, was against the N81.2 billion figure, which the lawmakers alleged the agency spent on tree planting.