The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof DANIEL PONDEI appeared to have fainted as the House of Representatives committee on NDDC grilled him.

The committee is in its fourth day of public hearing, as it investigates alleged financial misappropriation at the agency.

PONDEI had been grilled for almost an hour but could not withstand the pressure coming from members of the committee before he passed out.

Several people present at the hearing rushed to his aid, propping him up and attempting to stabilise him, with the proceedings halted.

The development led to the session adjourned for 30-minutes.

Earlier, the chairman of the committee, OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO in his opening remarks said, no one has been indicted adding the forum was for everyone invited to clear their names.

He therefore recused himself from the committee for the Deputy Chairman, THOMAS EREYITOMI to step in.