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Tag: Abdulmumin Jibrin

House suspension: Court to hear Jibrin’s suit October 21

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 21 for hearing of the suit by suspended former Chairman, Appropriation Committee, House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin.

Jibrin, from Kano State, is, with the suit, challenging his suspension from the House. A committee of the House of Reps. On October 28 suspended him for 180 legislative days.

His lawyer, Abdulhamid Muhammed told the court Friday that the House elected to suspend his client in spite of the pendency of his suit filed August 9, 2016 with which he had originally, sought to restrain the House of Rep leadership from proceeding with the plan to suspend him.

The case which could not be heard during the court’s vacation by Justice Okon Abang, has since been assigned to Justice John Tsoho.

Muhammed said, by suspending his client, the House has “over-reached” his client’s motion filed before the court for orders of interim injunction restraining the House from carrying out the suspension.

He proceeded to withdraw his client’s fundamental rights enforcement application on the grounds that it was overtaken by events.

Justice Tsoho said since the court’s business Friday was for the mention of the case, it was safer to adjourn to a later date for the hearing of all pending motions.

Besides the processes filed by Jibrin, other motions awaiting the court’s hearing is the preliminary objection by the defendants challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Defendants’ lawyer, Kalu Onuoha said he was confortable with the court’s position.

Defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/595/2016 are:The House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Yusuf Lasun, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Leo Ogor, Herman Hembe, Umar Mohammed Bago, Zakari Mohammed, Chike Okafor, Dan Asuquo, Jagaba Adms, Haliru Jika and Uzoma Abonta.

Jibrin, in the substantive suit, seeks among others, a declaration that the defendants are bound to comply with the provisions of sections 49, 54, 56 and 60 of the 1999 Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House of Reps, regulating its sitting, procedure and other matters in the conduct of its legislative functions as provided in the Constitution and the Standing Orders made pursuant to the Constitution.

He also wants the court to declaration that the decision taken by the defendants at a meeting held on August 3, 2016 to suspend the plaintiff as a member of the House of Reps without granting him the right to fair hearing is unlawful.

September 30, 2016
Jibrin warns Reps over N10m running cost allowance

The suspended former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin seems not discouraged in his new anti- corruption crusade against the House of Representatives.

In a letter dated September 29, 2016 titled: ” burden of proof of evidence: running cost of honourable members of the House of Representatives,” the lawmaker asked his colleagues to return a total of N10 million running cost allowance given to each member

His letter made available to reporters Thursday reads in part: “I wish to draw your attention to the fact that since you suspended me yesterday and the suggestion of the Ethics Committee report that my allegations were generalized and without proof, I have come under intense public scrutiny and pressure to prove that there exists systemic corruption in the House.

“I have taken it as a responsibility to prove to the public that the House is a den of systemic corruption. As colleagues, I have bound with many of you and built a life-long friendship.

“I have some of you that I hold in high esteem. If you end up at the receiving end of the actions I will be taking up in the next few days, I want you to know there is nothing personal but commitment and fervent desire to ensure that corruption is wiped out of the House and reforms that will restore the battered image of the House and take back the House to the Nigerian people is implemented.

“Consequent upon the above and before I proceed with the aggressive steps I intend to take, I hereby demand that if you have illegally taken or stolen any money meant for the running cost of your offices for your entire stay in the House.

“You should return the money within one week to the Clerk of the National Assembly. And for the purpose of clarity. I am referring to about N10 million you collect from tax payers monthly.

“The Clerk will provide you with official accounts details, failure of which I will take necessary action to ensure that you return any money stolen and stand witness against you in case of prosecution.

“I have written to the Clerk of the National Assembly to stand by in anticipation. In the face of the revenue challenges and biting hardship the country is currently facing, there is no better time the country needs such money than now.

“In the case of the Presiding and Principal Officers, in addition to my demand in this letter which applies to them too, I have written them yesterday and gave them 72 hours ultimatum to make public the total amount they have received as running cost in their entire stay in the House, failure of which I will proceed with necessary legal action to compel them to make the total amount each of them have received public.

“There are other issues of monumental corruption in the House that I will be raising in the following weeks which we must all deal with, but first let’s get done with this one.”

Jibrin was suspended for 180 legislative days over alleged misconduct and breach of the privileges of the members of the House.

His office was consequently sealed Thursday by National Assembly security agents.

September 29, 2016
Jibrin hires Falana to sue House of Reps

The House of Representatives member and former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has taken to social media to dismiss his suspension on Wednesday as ridiculous, unfounded, ‘which cannot stand anywhere’.

The member representing Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency of Kano state, in series of tweets Wednesday night, the internet savvy Rep member said he would challenge the suspension in court.

Jibrin said he has already briefed Femi Falana, the popular human rights lawyer and senior advocate to file a case of contempt against the Yakubu Dogara led House.

The former ally of Dogara said he did not commit any offence when he blew the whistle over budget padding by the leaders of the House, adding that he owes no one any apology for his action.

“Let me state very clearly that I will never ever apologise to anybody in the House of Reps. There is no reason what so ever to apologiseI did not commit any offence. I did not abuse my office. For the five years I have served, I have never corruptedly enriched myself,” he wrote.

“In contrast, these are the allegations that I raised against Mr Speaker and others which they have not responded till date.

“The bad news for Speaker and his cabal is despite doing their worst and exhausted their bullets by “suspending” me, it has not in any way

“Despite the “suspension” the fact has not changed that the Speaker conspired with others to commit monumental budget fraud and corruption

“I stand by all the allegations I raised. I wish to state categorically that there is chronic individual&systemic corruption in the House

“It is on strength of such weak institution that the Speaker continues to flaunt a fake popularity in the House since many members are culprits.”

September 29, 2016
Budget scandal: Reps suspend Jibrin for 180 days

The House of Representatives on Wednesday suspended a former Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, for 180 legislative days.

The suspension followed the adoption of the recommendations of the Nicholas Ossai-led Ethics and Privileges Committee.

The Committee laid the report earlier in the day and it was considered and adopted in the afternoon.

All four recommendations were adopted at the Committee of the Whole House presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara left the chamber shortly before the House dissolved into the Committee of the Whole House and came back just before the adoption of the recommendations.

Jibrin had alleged that Dogara, Lasun, Whip Alhassan Doguwa, Minority leader Leo Ogor and nine committee chairmen illegally inserted fictitious projects into the 2016 Budget.

Jibrin was accused of bringing the House into disrepute with his utterances and action over the scandal.

September 28, 2016
Why I didn’t attend Ethics Committee Hearing- Jibrin

The former Chairman of the House of Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) has said that the reason for his absence at the Committee on Ethics and Privileges was because the Chairman, Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) had demonstrated his biases in words and action.

The House had on Wednesday 21st sent Jibrin’s case to the Committee for investigation following a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Emmanuel Orker-Jev.

Jibrin, at a press briefing on Tuesday said: “Ahead of the resumption of the House I wrote a 17-page letter to all members and one of the issues I raised is that I was finding it difficult to write to the committee on Ethics and Privileges because I do not believe that he has the ability of being impartial. He has made a couple of public statements that show clearly that he has become an interested party in the matter.

“I cited the instance where clearly he made a public statement that budget fraud (also known as padding) is not an offence. And of course, there are instances where he mentioned me as a person that in the whole of this matter, I am wrong.

“Right from the beginning, I have my doubt. After the House referred the matter to the Ethics Committee, he called me. And when he called me, I told him that I will appear on the condition that the proceedings would be made public. And I was clear to him that the media will be there, both print and electronic.”

Jibrin said Ossai called him again and agreed that he will do as he requested and will even put it in writing. He said contrary to his request, he got only a 2-paragraph letter devoid of their agreement.

He said the letter was also ambiguous and did not itemize how he breached the privileges of members.

Jibrin said that legislative privileges does not include corruption, and exposing corruption does not constitute breach of privileges.

“And in the next few days, if the chairman of the Ethics and Privileges does not concentrate on the issues of allegations I raised against the Speaker and three other principal officers, and the abuse of the privileges of Nigerians, I will take it upon myself to expose how some members have abuse their privileges. I will do it.”

While answering questions on the possibility of his being suspended said: “If I’m suspended, it’s illegal. But if they insist they will suspend me, it’s fine. I will step out of the House and continue my crusade and of course, the court will take a position on the contempt that has been done.

He however said if the Ethics Committee recommends his suspension, he will contest it.

“I will contest it if I am suspended because the case is before the court, but if they insisted, I will remain suspended.

“As matter of fact, that will afford me ample time to concentrate on activism especially on fighting corruption in the House from outside.

“It means that I will then have enough time to collaborate with civil society organizations and other like-minds.

The report of the Ethics and Privileges Committee might be laid today.

Recalled that at its last sitting on Monday, the Chairman, Nicholas Ossai had said that Jibrin’s absence amounted to his defense and that the Committee would submit its report within the one week period given to the Committee to carry out its assignment and submit its report.

September 27, 2016
Budget padding: Why Dogara, others are after me – Jibrin

Former Chairman, Appropriation Committee, House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin disclosed Thursday why the House’s Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers of the lower legislative chamber were bent on expelling him.

Jibrin said he attracted the wrath of the House’s leadership when, as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee he rejected alleged proposals by Dogara and others to corner about N90billion to themselves from the 2016 budget.

He made this claim in a fresh document he filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja in furtherance of his suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS:595/2016, seeking to among others, restrain the House’s leadership from suspending him from the House.

Defendants in the suit are the House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dogara, Yusuf Lasun (Deputy Speaker), Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Leo Ogor, Herman Hembe, Umar Mohammed Bago, Zakari Mohammed, Chike Okafor, Dan Asuquo, Jagaba Adms, Haliru Jika and Uzoma Abonta.

In the document filed yesterday, Jibrin, an All Progressives Congress legislator, representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, said he had some conflicts with the House’s leadership because he rejected their unlawful directives.

He said, in the document – a counter affidavit – deposed to on his behalf by one of his lawyers, Nura Abdulrrahman that one of such instances was his “refusal to admit into the nation’s 2016 budget the sum of about N30b.

“His refusal to cover up the decision of the 3rd to 14th defendants’ (Dogara and others’) unilateral decision to allocate to themselves N40b out of the N100b allocated to the entire National Assembly, in addition to what he (Jibrin) considered as wasteful projects of over N20b to the 3rd – 14th defendants’ constituencies.

“Even when he (Jibrin) had given the defendants/respondents, especially the 3rd (Dogara) statistics of 2000 new projects introduced into the Appropriation Bill by less than 10 committee members, the 3rd defendant took no decision or corrective.

“When the inflation of the said budget became a matter of public interest and controversy, the defendant, especially the 3rd -14th started taking measures to avoid responsibility and to place the entire issue on the shoulders of the plaintiff so as to use him (Jibrin) as a scapegoat,” Abdulrrahman said in the counter affidavit filed in response to the defendants’ notice of preliminary objection.

Jibrin denied claim by Dogara that he (the plaintiff) was removed as the Chair of the House’s Appropriation Committee. He said he voluntarily resigned his position and informed Dogara to that effect on July 20, 2016.

As against the defendants’ claim in their objection that they were no planning to suspend Jibrin, and that the House did not intend to reconvene before the end of its vacation, Jibrin stated that Dogara and others were plotting to reopen the House and suspend him.

He urged the court to proceed to determine his case. And grant all his reliefs, which include a declaration that the decision taken by the defendants at a meeting held on August 3, 2016 to suspend the plaintiff as a member of the House of Reps without granting him the right to fair hearing is unlawful.

He also seeks a declaration that the defendants are bound to comply with the provisions of sections 49, 54, 56 and 60 of the 199 Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House of Reps, regulating its sitting, procedure and other matters in the conduct of its legislative functions as provided in the Constitution and the Standing Orders made pursuant to the Constitution.

Dogara and others have, in the notice of preliminary objection they filed on Tuesday, urged the court to decline jurisdiction to hear the case and strike it out on the grounds that the suit disclosed “no reasonable cause of action.”

The Clerk, Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abel Ochigbo faulted Jibrin’s claims and stated that there was no plan to suspend him and that no meeting has been held to that effect.

Ochigbo, who deposed to the affidavit supporting the defendants’ objection, stated that all that were done during the process leading to the passage of the budget was within the law. He added that since the budget has become law, nobody could query the steps taken by the law makers.

“The 2016 Appropriation Act was duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President of the federal Republic of Nigeria. The issue of any officer of the House taking any decisive action against any particular member or members does not arise as the Appropriation Bill has now become the Appropriation Act.

“The issue of inflation of the 2016 budget does not arise as the Appropriation Bill was passed by the House of Representatives pursuant to powers vested in the House by the Constitution and in line with the Standing Orders of the House.

“The Bill was duly certified pursuant to the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act before it was duly assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it is now being executed as an Act of the National Assembly.”

Yesterday plaintiff’s lawyer, Abdulamid Mohammed informed the court that the defendants served him with their objection on Wednesday and that he has filed a response. He sought a short stand down of proceedings to enable him retrieve a copy of his response from the court’s Registry.

Defendants’ lawyer, Kalu Onuoha objected to Mohammed’s request for a stand-down. He sought an adjournment to enable him study the plaintiff’s response and decide whether or not to equally respond.

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang noted that since it would be impossible for the court to conclude hearing in the case before the end of the court’s long vacation (September 9) it was unnecessary to commence hearing in the case during vacation.

Justice Abang, who currently sits as the court’s vacation judge, elected to return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment after vacation.

August 25, 2016
Padding: How committee Chair usually sabotage budgets – Jibrin

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) has revealed how Chairmen of the Committee used the office to manipulate national budget proposals.

He said being Appropriation Committee Chairman, the power of the office can be used to fraudulently review upward or downward allocations for projects.

Jibrin, on Thursday in response to Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s defense of lawmakers’ input on budget documents, said an Appropriation Chairman can also sabotage the budget through inadequate allocation.

The lawmaker had alleged the Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, Whip Alhassan Doguwa, Minority leader Ogor and nine Committee Chairmen of padding the budget illegally.

He said: “Before the corrupt, shameless and fraudulent QUARTET of Speaker Dogara, Lasun, Doguwa and Ogor mislead the Nigerian public again, let me avail you some facts.

“Now that I have raised allegations backed with documents to show that the QUARTET and their gang of few other corrupt committee Chairmen are responsible for the fraudulent insertions also known as padding in various versions of the 2016 budget and NOT ME as they claim, corrupt Speaker Dogara shamelessly made a U-turn on a National TV and declared that such insertions do not constitute an offense.

“For Dogara and his cohorts, Padding is an offense only if Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin is the accused. Today, they went a disgraceful step further to threaten that the budget is already a law and therefore no offense can be committed in that regard.

“This is clearly a diversionary plan to mislead the public, avoid the anti-corruption agencies and buy time to cover up their dirty mess.

“I cry for Nigeria… so long as we continue to respect corrupt people so shall our country continue to relapse…”

August 11, 2016
Budget padding: Committee Chairman dares Jibrin

One of the Chairmen of House of Representatives Committees alleged to have padded the 2016 budget with 2000 fictitious projects worth N284b, Zakari Mohammed has denied being involved in the scam.

While challenging the former Chairman, Appropriation Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin to make good his threat of petitioning anti-graft agencies, Mohammed noted that Jibrin is a sinking politician looking for who to drag down with him.

Jibrin had alleged Mohammed, who is the Chairman, Committee on Basic Education and nine others of padding the budget with 2000 fictitious projects worth N284b.

In a statement Monday, Mohammed explained that having known the kind of person Jibrin is, he (Mohammed) ensured that he avoided Jibrin and his antics during the 2016 budget preparation period.

The Basic Education Committee Chairman also said he was unaware of padding in budget preparation for five years he has been the House of Representatives.

The statement reads: “Ordinarily, I would have ignored his face-saving tweets but the fact that he is deceptively carrying many Nigerians along makes it imperative to protect my hard-earned integrity and about 10 years of unblemished career in as a political office holders.

“Prior to joining politics, I had worked as a civil servant for 14 years with outstanding records. I cannot allow a desperado, who is also a gold digger, to rubbish my impeccable integrity.

“I have not spoken or had personal contact with Jibrin since November 2015 because I have always had reservations on his conduct and over rated personality; he held every member in contempt and arrogated usurped powers to himself.

“He was so overwhelmed by his ambition to drag me into his plot to the extent that he referred to me as the chairman of the House Committee on higher education because of his orchestrated mission against me.

“I wish to place on record that throughout the period of consideration of the 2016 Appropriation Act, I did not meet or write Jibrin for assistance to include any item or project in my constituency not even when he sent Hon. Muktar Betera, chairman defence to some of us to write via our letter heads requesting for assistance from him.

“Instead, I concentrated on my job as the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education. The proposals for Basic Education were easier in treating because the enabling Act of UBEC is explicit on how it should be funded. I want him to produce any of my write ups in my letter head to the public.

“Our submission on the 2016 budget was a product of our committee’s relentless work, in conjunction with the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

“I challenge Jibrin to point out the specific areas that our committee fell short of its duties.

“I have no file with EFCC or its allied agency but the same cannot be said of the former Appropriation Committee chairman. Nigerians should therefore disregard his accusations because they are as a result of frustration of his removal.

“As for Jibrin’s formal report to the EFCC, I am more than ready to appear before any agency or anywhere to prove my innocence. I have no skeletons in my cupboard.”

On budget padding, Mohammed said it was a strange phenomenon, adding, “What a sitting President brings to the National Assembly, according to Section 80(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution is an estimate which the Legislature is expected to consider and assist the Executive in reviewing appropriations for its plans and projects for the country for the fiscal year.

“Jibrin should look elsewhere for his prey. I was a public servant first for 14yrs before taking political appointments in 2002 as a Special Assistant, Commissioner for Sports and later Commissioner for Energy in Kwara State, including pioneering the first football academy in nigeria as chairman of the board and that of the state football team in my home state.my track records are clear and above board.

“On getting to the National Assembly in 2011, I chaired the sensitive media and public affairs committee and I was never found wanting in all aspects of my duties, financially or otherwise.

“I went this far to let the sadistic Abdulmumin Jibrin know that as a student of government I have built a reputation on credible slate without cutting corners. This assignment cannot be an exception because I have a family name and a lineage which is symbolized by diligence and not riches at all costs.”

August 1, 2016
Dogara invaded committee secretariat, seized computers – Jibrin

The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Thursday claimed that the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers he accused of inserting billions into the 2016 budget are attempting to obstruct justice.

The lawmaker said Dogara and others are trying to obstruct justice by seizing information relevant to the allegation and impeding investigations.

A statement issued by Jibrin on Thursday reads:

“Speaker Dogara has ordered that all the computers in the appropriation secretariat be shut down and moved to his office as if that is the answer to the allegations I raised.

“The secretariat workers are being harassed to keep quiet and suppress facts. There has also been an attempt to break into my office at the House.

“I know he wants to tamper with documents critical to his and three others future investigation and prosecution but unfortunately for him we already have enough evidence in our possession. The security and anti -corruption agencies should kindly take note. ”

Speaking on the press briefing organised by Gombe Reps Caucus which accused him of waging a “campaign of calumny,” he said:

“Five members of the Gombe caucus addressed the press today (Thursday) in a show of shame and succeeded in only rehearsing the accusation of lies leveled against me by Speaker Dogara.

“Two of them are part of the list of corrupt members I will be submitting to the EFCC. My response to them is they should simply read my full reply released yesterday and join the Transparency Group (TG), an alliance of hundreds of members to cleanse the House of corruption and corrupt members.

“They should act honourably by calling on Speaker Dogara to listen to the call of Nigerians to reconvene the House immediately so that an independent investigation can commence.”

When the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, was contacted on the issue, he declined to react to the allegation.

July 28, 2016
Budget padding: Gombe Reps caucus knocks Jibrin

Federal Lawmakers from Gombe State on Thursday swung to the side of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, over the allegation of inserting billions to the 2016 budget for personal gains.

The House members including Hon. Ali Isa, the Gombe Caucus Leader, who read the statement, Aishatu Jibrin Dukku, Ustaz Yunusa Ahmad Abubakar, Binta Bello, Ismaila Muazu Hassan and Yaya Bauchi Tongo, described the allegation by former Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin against the leadership of the House of Representatives, as a “campaign of calumny.”

The statement reads in part: “We of the Gombe State caucus of the House of Representatives wish to categorically and publicly declare that we are not part of any evil group trying to cause disaffection and instability in the House of Representatives, and we in like manner dissociate ourselves from any conspiracy and attack against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the entire leadership of the House.

“We are aware that the current impasse is generated and orchestrated by Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin through his wild goose claim that the 2016 federal budget was “padded” by the Leadership of the House, and we are appalled and shocked that Hon. Jibrin only came out with this accusation just after the House has duly sacked him as appropriation Committee Chairman over the offense of unlawfully inflating the budget in his own favour!

“And if we are to talk about this “budget padding” scandal, we want to tell the whole world that shortly after Hon. Jibrin was appointed Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, he sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives requesting them to send details of projects they want captured in the Federal Budget for their constituencies, and Honourable Members complied with his circular accordingly.

“But we are now shocked and surprised that Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin is now using these same letters to blackmail the House as guilty of padding the Federal Budget! What a shame!

“The world, particularly Nigerians, must be told that the figures being reeled out by Hon. Jibrin as his basis of blackmail against the leadership of the House were actually suggested by him.

“As a matter of fact, the Appropriation Committee under the leadership of Hon. Jibrin initiated the allocation formula with which the constituency projects of Honourable Members were inserted into the 2016 budget.

“By reason of their leadership position, the Appropriation Committee conceded significant provisions to the principal officers of the House, but we are even shocked that Hon. Jibrin who is not a principal officer allocated provisions to his Constituency far beyond what the principal officers he is accusing got.”

The caucus said the National Assembly cannot be accused of padding the budget.

“Section 80 subsection 4 and section 81 subsection 1 of Nigeria’s constitution have expressly given the National Assembly powers over the entire budgetary process, which also means the lawmaking body can make additions or subtractions on any budget document.”

According to the lawmakers, since the parliament can make such additions or subtractions, “it is then unfair and uncharitable for anyone to accuse the National Assembly of padding the budget..”

July 28, 2016