Nigeria, Sept. 16 -- When Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and some federal lawmakers squared off in July during a National Assembly investigative hearing, the minister's aides and his political supporters celebrated it as a victory for him.

Rattled by Mr Akpabio's assertion that National Assembly members were involved in contract-awards in the tainted Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the chairman of the panel, Thomas Ereyitomi, asked the minister to discontinue his testimony which was broadcast live.

"Honourable minister, it's okay, it's okay. Off your mic!" Mr Ereyitomi told Mr Akpabio.

An enraged Mr Akpabio, after the public hearing, went ahead to name lawmakers who got contracts from NDDC.

However, ...