House of Reps suspends Jibrin over 2016 Budget padding allegations

The House of Representatives on Wednesday suspended the former Chairman of Appropriation Committee, Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin for a period of 180 legislative sitting days, Daily Post reports. The House also barred Jibrin from holding positions of responsibility till the end of the 8th Assembly. This was contained in a report submitted by the
Committee on Ethics and Privileges through its Chairman, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, which was consequently adopted by the voice votes of the House. The Committee had been asked to looked into the breach of Practices, Precedents and Usage of the House of Representatives and Sundry Acts of Misconduct against the Members and Institution of the House of Representatives and National Assembly.

Jibrin had accused the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers of the Lower Legislative Chamber of padding the 2016 budget  to the tune of over N40bn.

The lawmaker from Kano had made the allegation while the House was on recess.

Upon resumption, the House referred the allegation to the Ethics and Privileges committee for further investigation, however, he refused to appear  before the committee.

The embattled lawmaker failed to appear before the Ethics and Privileges committee where he had been invited to answer to an allegation that he breached the privileges of members.

The Hon. Ossai-led committee was particularly asked to look into various allegations preferred against the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal officers of the House relating to the alleged budget padding.

The committee however said Jibrin refused to appear before it and rather, he elected to granting series of press interviews and making spurious comments against the leadership of the House.

According to the report, Jibrin specifically objected to the Chairmanship of Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai and Membership of Hon. Herme Hembe from Benue State; hence his refusal to show up at the committee.

Following the motion for the consideration of the report moved by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai and seconded by Hon. Orker Jev Orker, the House on Wednesday resolved that the actions of Jibrin contravened Order 6, rules 1-4 of the House Standing Order and Chapter 9, paragraph 3 of the Code of Conduct rules of the House.