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Budget Padding: Jibrin Accuses Ethics Committee Of Breach Of Agreements As Committee Set To Submit Report

September 27, 2016

Mr. Jibrin said that in a telephone conversation, he told the Chairman of the Committee, Nicholas Ossai, that he would appear before the committee only if the press are allowed to cover the committee's proceedings.

Abdulmumin Jibrin has accused the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges of breaching the conditions they had agreed upon ahead of his scheduled appearance before the committee.

He stated this on Tuesday while addressing a press conference in his office at the National Assembly in Abuja where he said that he told the Chairman of the Committee, Nicholas Ossai, in a telephone conversation that he would appear before the committee only if the press are allowed to cover the committee's proceedings.

Mr. Jibrin noted that when Mr. Ossai made the call to him, they spoke extensively on the matter and agreed to abide by that condition, saying that he was surprised to hear that media would not be allowed to cover proceedings as earlier agreed upon.

He further accused the chairman of being "economical" with the truth when he denied receiving any letter from him stating his position on the agreements. The former chairman therefore presented an acknowledged copy of a letter he had sent to the committee.

Mr. Jibrin cautioned the committee to respect the court, noting that the matter was subject to litigation and going ahead with the matter by the committee would amount to sub judice, which is a contempt of court, adding that his lawyer has written a letter to the committee to that effect.

The former chairman maintained that he expected the Speaker to allow the House to open a debate on the issues he had raised against the four principal officers of the House, noting that the Green Chamber belonged to Nigerians, not lawmakers.

The Ethic and Privileges Committee, which started its sitting on Monday, has rounded off its assignment after waiting in limbo for Mr. Jibrin to appear on Tuesday, but all to no avail. The chairman submitted that the committee would take the non-appearance of Mr. Jibrin as defense.

The submission of the committee's report before the House for consideration on Wednesday may lead to Mr. Jibrin' s suspension from the legislature.

It would be recalled that Mr. Jibrin, former Chairman of Appropriations in the House of Represenatives, made grievous allegations against Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, Minority Leader Leo Ogor and Chief Whip Alhassan Dogowa on their complicity in the insertion of fictitious items in the 2016 budget. He submitted petitions in respect of the allegations to the anti-graft agency and other relevant security agencies to investigate the matter.