There are a strong indications that the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges may recommend indefinite suspension for Abdulmumin Jibrin, sacked chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, in its report to be laid before the House soon.
The Committee chaired by Nicholas Ossai had on Monday concluded its assignment, after prolonged waiting on Jibrin who declined to honour the invitation of the Committee.
While reacting to the ongoing investigative hearing premised on the petition sponsored by Emmanuel Orker-Jev, chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Jibrin explained that the Speaker and other principal officers accused of budget fraud and corruption must step aside to give way for unfettered investigation by an independent agency or Speaker Pro-Tempro.
He however added that the Speaker and other principal officers may assume their office if cleared by the Adhoc Committee that will investigate the matter in contention.
Jibrin who spoke at a press briefing held in his office at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, argued that the Committee has no right to investigate and recommend his suspension since the matter is already a subject of litigation in a court with competent jurisdiction.
The lawmaker who presented a court order and letter from his lawyer, Femi Falana, noted that any attempt to suspend him will give him ample opportunity to sustain the ongoing anti-corruption crusade against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three principal officers and other lawmakers accused in the alleged budget fraud.
He explained that the Speaker who has already entered appearance, was also served another letter dated 23rd September, 2016; in which he notified him that the ongoing investigation is ‘subjudice.”
He maintained that priviledges accorded members does not mean that if a member is corrupt, the member should not be investigated or if a member is accused he should not defend himself.
“It is erroneous to assume that a matter discussed in the chambers should not be discussed outside if it is a matter of fraud.”
“I enjoin the chairman of Ethics to also investigate the abuse of privildges by members otherwise, I myself will take up the matter and expose it” he threatened.
The embattled lawmaker admitted that he refrained from appearing before the committee because he has no confidence on the integrity of members of the committee, insisting that many of them have already expressed their support for the Speaker on the floor by wearing the “#I Stand with Dogara” muffler.
He said: “I do not believe that the committee on Ethics is impartial. The chairman of that committee has made a lot of statements that shows that he cannot be impartial.”
He further accused Hon. Ossai of writing him an ambiguous letter and failing to spell out as the details that the matter will be investigated publicly and that the press will be allowed to cover proceedings.
Jibrin expressed his optimism that he will not abandon the struggle to sanitize the house even if he is a lone voice.
“Last week some members were wearing mufflers in support of speaker but I will not stop this struggle. I don’t need to lobby people to come, if any member feel that I should come and lobby him to join this struggle, I will not do that.
“What the speaker did during the caucuses was to blackmail members. If they continue to toe that part, I will expose them.
“I was shocked when the chairman came on television sending me a warning to appear before him and also gave a second warning on my non appearance is my case.
“I am not taking what he said seriously, the House does not belong to the House of Representatives, the House belongs to Nigerians,” Jibrin warns.
Jibrin remained adamant that four principal officers should step down and an independent group should investigate the allegations.
