Hon Jibrin faces Jail, Suspension or N200 Fine over Budget Padding Scandal

Hon Jibrin faces Jail, Suspension or N200 Fine over Budget Padding Scandal

The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has got his back against the ropes with the prospect of a six-month jail term, suspension or a fine of N200 following probe into his conduct.

After the damning allegations by the lawmaker against the leadership of the House, particularly Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Friday opened a hearing into his actions deemed as a deliberate attempt to besmirch the House.

Sponsor of the motion, Emmanuel Orker-Jev, said the hearing was a call to duty after Jibrin’s utterances maligned and ridiculed the House, as well as vilifying them in the eyes of the public, Punch writes.

Describing Jibrin’s utterances as an attack on the ‘integrity of the House as an institution,’ Orker-Jev noted that the Kano State-born lawmaker had breached the privileges of the House of Representatives and provisions of the National Assembly Legislative Houses (powers and privileges) Act.

He made reference to Jibrin’s quote in the media: “As it stands today, these corrupt elements have infected the House, making the institution a hub of systemic corruption.

“I repeat, there is massive individual and systemic corruption in the House of Representatives. And all Nigerians have a responsibility to avail themselves of this rare opportunity to flush out corruption in the House.”

To further buttress his point, the Benue State-born lawmaker cited the case of former member, Patrick Ogbahiagbon who he explained was pardoned by his colleagues after he apologised for his disparaging remarks as precedence.

Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Ossai Ossai, promised a fair hearing to all parties, although Hon Jibrin has maintained he would only appear before the committee if civil society organisations, labour unions, student groups and members of the public are allowed to observe proceedings.

Meanwhile, human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has demanded the immediate suspension of the ongoing probe against his client, Jibrin, stating in a letter dated September 23, 2016, that it contradicts the standing orders of the House.