American billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has denied media reports that he offered a $10 million bribe to the Nigerian House of Representatives to pass the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill being considered by the House.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation registered the denial in a memorandum submitted to an ad-hoc committee of the House investigating the allegations on Monday.
The body in the statement by its spokesperson, Imo Ugochinyere, alleged that $10 million was offered by Mr Gates to influence the speedy passage of the bill without recourse to legislative public hearing, adding that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, should be impeached if he forces the bill on members.
SPURIOUS ALLEGATIONS
Speaking for the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation before the House Adhoc committee, Mr Gates who was represented by the country representative of his Foundation, Paulin Basinga, said there was no interaction whatsoever between himself or his Foundation and the House.
"The Bill Melinda Gates Foundation has recently been made aware of an allegation circulating in certain elements of the Nigerian media that the Foundation was involved in a payment purportedly made to the Nigeria House of Representatives.
