Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi yesterday warned the House of Representatives against sweeping the alleged N2.4 billion car scam in the House under the carpet.

In a statement, Fawehinmi commended Mr. Festus Keyamo for his courage in exposing the alleged corrupt act.

Keyamo had in an open letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, accused him of embezzling over N500 million in the car project.

"I personally did not like the way the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges treated Festus Keyamo, when he appeared before the committee on Wednesday October 29, 2008," Fawehinmi said.

Continuing he said: "I commend the efforts of Keyamo in taking up the gauntlet to ensure that wherever we find corruption in Nigeria, we will fight it. This is one accusation of corruption that should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet."

According to Fawehinmi, based on Keyamo’s allegations, there was already a prima facie case of gross corruption and abuse of office against the house, and it amounts to a total violation of Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Fawehinmi further said "I was shocked when the committee questioned the source of Keyamo’s information in accusing (the speaker’s) of fraudulent practices, which allegations obviously amount to crime and unconstitutional behaviour of seemly elected representatives."

Fawehinmi described the conduct of the committee as "disgraceful and totally unbecoming of members of the House of Representatives.

On that day and during the so-called hearing, the members of the committee put themselves above the people of this country and the laws of the nation. "That was quite abominable."