Embattled former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has rejected what he described as an attempt to intimidate him over his allegations of budget fraud and corruption in the National Assembly.
Jibrin, who represents Kiru-Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, made his position known in a strongly worded response to the Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai.
His latest reaction came amid the deepening controversy between him and the leadership of the House of Representatives, particularly Speaker Yakubu Dogara and some principal officers, over his allegations concerning the 2016 budget.
Jibrin had repeatedly accused the leadership of the House of alleged budget padding and other corrupt practices, claims that have generated considerable controversy within and outside the National Assembly.
Following his public statements, the Ethics and Privileges Committee invited him to appear before it over alleged breach of privilege and misconduct. Jibrin was said to have declined an earlier invitation.
In his response dated September 23, 2016, Jibrin said he was willing to appear before the committee, but insisted that the proceedings must be open to the public and accessible to the media and other civil society stakeholders.
He argued that such openness was necessary to ensure that the investigation was not manipulated or compromised.
Jibrin said he had previously expressed doubts about the ability of the committee chairman to act as an impartial arbiter because of what he described as his public and private comments concerning the controversy.
According to him, his concerns were reinforced by subsequent developments and conversations he had with Ossai after the House sitting of September 21.
The lawmaker claimed that during one of their telephone conversations, he told the committee chairman that he would appear if the proceedings were conducted publicly, with access granted to print and electronic media, civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour representatives, students and members of the public.
He said he was therefore disappointed when the invitation letter did not contain the assurances he had requested.
Jibrin also questioned the substance of the invitation, alleging that he was being summoned without being given sufficient details of the specific offences he was expected to answer.
“You are inviting an accused to appear before you without telling him his offence,” Jibrin argued, questioning how he could adequately prepare his defence without knowing the specific allegations against him.
He further alleged that the committee’s handling of the matter suggested that its conclusions might have been predetermined.
Jibrin cited as evidence what he described as an announcement to the media that he had shunned the committee’s invitation, even though the invitation stated that he was expected to appear on September 26.
He maintained that exposing alleged corruption or budget fraud could not, in itself, constitute misconduct or a breach of parliamentary privilege.
The former appropriation committee chairman also challenged the House leadership to address the allegations he had made against Dogara and three other principal officers, saying he had petitioned security and anti-graft agencies over the matter.
Jibrin urged members of the Ethics and Privileges Committee not to allow the House to be used as a shield for anyone accused of wrongdoing.
He described his campaign as a broader effort to expose alleged corruption and push for reforms within the House of Representatives.
“I am on a crusade to expose corruption in the House and push for reforms that will clean up the House for the Nigerian people. There is no going back on this and I will continue this struggle even if I end up alone,” he said.
Jibrin also declared that he remained committed to pursuing his allegations against the Speaker and other principal officers in collaboration with anti-graft agencies and other Nigerians.
“The House does not belong to 360 members but 200 million Nigerians. Nobody can cow me into silence,” he declared.
He concluded by challenging members of the House to choose between supporting Dogara and what he described as the interests of Nigerians.
“Members of the House have only two options before them, to either StandWithDogara or StandWithNigerians. A stand with Dogara is a stand with fraud and corruption. I stand with Nigerians,” Jibrin said.
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