The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jibrin

  • Jibrin in the midst of another storm

    IN the House of Representatives, compliance is the rule. With a House Standing Order that states that the Speaker can detect motive at the level of thought ( should you approach the Mace) and then may suspend you indefinitely, members are fearful, docile and very well- behaved.

    Recall that11 members went before an Abuja High Court seeking the reversal of the Tuesday October 8, 2015 adoption of the report of an ad hoc committee that reviewed the House Standing Orders, 2011 edition? It’s dictatorial, they said.

    But one member continues to stoke the embers of controversy; his name is Abdulmumin Jibrin, the former Chairman House Committee on Finance, and then Appropriation. The lawmaker from Kano representing Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency, is made of sterner stuff. Deviance seems to be his name.  After his removal as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, he earned himself a 180-day suspension for his “anti- corruption crusade” over the 2016 budget crisis.

    He made a series of profound accusations against some members of the leadership of the the House and provided unpalatable financial details concerning members of the House available to the public. Others he chronicled and dispatched to anti- corruption agencies (to no avail, it seems).

    The House was sorely embarrassed.  One would have thought, having spent a handsome part of his representation time outside the Green Chamber (over 200 days actually), Jibrin would be more

    circumspect and keep a low profile on his return to the House after his innocuous and sudden pardon by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara. Alas, following a breach of privileges motion by a member, Jibrin is on his way back to the Ethics and Privileges Committee!

    What on earth has he done this time? The charge: the lawmaker via a statement through a group, The Parliamentary Support Group, voiced his disagreement on the impeachment resolutions against President Muhammadu Buhari at the joint session held on Tuesday.

    “The Parliamentary Support Group PSG, whose primary objective is to support President Muhammadu Buhari, has come to stay in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at large. “The PSG has become necessary because of the unabated attacks on Mr President on the floor of the House.

    An action that has severally embarrassed the President and portrayed the APC-led government in bad light, ” he said in a statement on Thursday. What passion drives this controversial young legislator?

    Is he on his way to self- destruct, or going to be a hero of reformation? Of course, there has been quite a lot of sentiments against Jibrin. For instance, many are wondering how come he suddenly became a reformer only after he was removed from the plum position of Chairman House Committee on Appropriations?

    Then, how would one quantify the damage done to the reputation of the National Assembly over the budget padding stories that he helped to popularize? The scandals that he assisted in spreading? Such were the types of questions asked. Jibrin, who said he came into politics to make a difference, may have changed the colour and flavour of the game in the House.

    For instance, going by his recent judgment from the High Court in Abuja, the House, according to the court, has no right to have suspended him- and any member for that matter.

    Congratulations guys (for all ye that are frightful). But the worrisome aspect of this narrative is that in spite of another impending excursion to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Jibrin, who has a talent for stepping on different sizes of toes, just yesterday promised to release a smoking 12- page document on the 2018 budget.

    The documents will show all the shenanigans, inconsistencies, and other aspects the leadership of the House would rather prefer to be shrouded, he said. Well, why should that worry anyone if the right thing has been done?

    But the lawmaker seems to have been lured by the call for history and his desire to leave a legacy. “I’m determined that the constitutional powers of the Legislature will be used for the good of the people of our country.

    That is what pushes me to make a difference,” he in a chat with our reporter. He added ” I’ve gotten to a point in life where only a few things can make me afraid. I don’t fear anything, and I always like to follow my convictions.”

    Good word, but hopefully the court judgment would save him from another 180 days from the Ethics and Privileges palaver currently staring him in the face. Though some members were initially happy at the anti-corruption stance of Jibrin, others were taciturn on what the end game may turn out to be.

  • Impeachment threat: Jibrin back at Ethics Committee 

    Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) and Mohammed Gudaji (APC, Jigawa) are to face the Ethics and Privileges committee of the House of Representatives for their views on the impeachment threat issued against President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Jibrin has just returned from a 180 legislative days suspension on account of bringing the House to disrepute with his comments on the 2017 budget.

    His suspension was nullified by a court.

    This followed the adoption of a motion on breach of privilege by Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi) and Nicholas Ossai  (PDP, Delta).

    Karimi, who first raised a point of order on the breach of his privilege by Jibrin, said the account given to the media was incorrect.

    Karimi said Jibrin’s  statement to the press was contradictory of what actually transpired during the closed door session while he left out certain information about the joint sitting.

    Karimi said his privilege was particularly breached by Jibrin’s remark that the joint sitting was an all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) affair.

    “There is a need for Abdulmumin to be called to order because trying to subvert the truth is not good for this institution,” he said.

    Ossai pleaded for the leave of the House that he stepped down as Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee  because his name was mentioned in a national daily by Gudaji as being part of the lawmakers  responsible for the collection of signatures for the impeachment of President Buhari.

    Ossai quoted  Gudaji as saying in the news report that he (Ossai) was mentioned as being a leading figure in the collection of signatures for the impeachment of the President.

    “If I’m a leading voice in the chamber I’ll be happy but I’m not, so, I want this issue to be investigated because my constituents will ask questions,” he said.

    Chinda also asked that Gudaji be investigated because he was equally mentioned as being part of the arrowheads of the impeachment list.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara in his ruling expressed concern about his colleagues that could not understand the workings of the House, who rushes to the media immediately resolutions are reached.

    “I have problem with people, who don’t know what they are doing here and next thing is they go to press.

    “What happened yesterday was opened to all and we should always make statement that reflects the truth.

    “It’s unfortunate but since the issue has been raised, we have to refer it to Ethics and Privileges Committee.

    “As for Abdulmumin, we have to investigate it too,” he said.

    The two were referred to the Ethics and Privileges committee. Ossai’s prayer to step down as Chairman of the Committee being a party in the matter was granted.

    Similarly the House is planning to punish the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Amina Shamaki, with the stiffest penalty for obstructing its proceedings at a public hearing.

    This followed the submision of Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau) who alleged that Shamaki to have ordered Directors General (DGs) under her ministry to walk out of a public hearing on the  amendment  to the establishment bill of some agencies in the ministry.

    Lar, in her point of order, said the  PS on May 31 during a public hearing on eight  bills asked all the DGs of agencies in her ministry  in attendance  to walk out of the hearing.

    According to the lawmaker, Shamaki, who was seen stepping out of the hearing hall on intermittently,instructed the DGs to refrain from attending to the Committee’s inquiries, else they will be queried.

    The lawmaker said Shamaki’s action was a slight on the Legislature and a bad precedence. “I was approached about it and I reacted that anyone that left will be charged with contempt of Legislature,” Lar added.

    Uzoma Nkem-Abonta  (PDP, Abia) said the action of the PS was grievous than the Senate’s stolen mace.

    “This is sacrilegious; we should make a statement; otherwise, we’ll be barking without biting. Stiffest penalty should go to whoever is found culpable,” he said.

    To Chief Whip Hassan Doguwa, who said he witnessed the event, the matter should not be handled with levity.

    “For a permanent secretary to embarrass this institution like that means we are not safe because anyone can as well do the same.

    “This is unacceptable and we should not take it lightly.

    The House owes the public a duty to protect them,” he noted.

    The Speaker referred the matter  to the Justice Committee, saying it was still an allegation.

  • House refers Jibrin, Gudaji to ethics panel over impeachment threat

    EMBATTLED lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) and Mohammed Gudaji (APC, Jigawa) have been asked to face the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives for daring to voice their views on the impeachment threat issued against President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Jibrin returned recently from a 180 legislative days’ suspension on account of bringing the House “to disrepute with his comments on 2017 budget”.

    His suspension was later nullified by the court.

    This followed the adoption of a motion on breach of privileges by Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi) and Nicholas Ossai  (PDP, Delta).

    Karimi, who first raised a point of order on the breach of his privilege by Jibrin, said the account given to the media was incorrect.

    The lawmaker, in his explanation, said Jibrin’s statement to the reporters was contradictory of what actually transpired during the closed door session

    He accused Jibrin of leaving out certain information about the joint sitting.

    Karimi said his privilege was particularly breached by  Jibrin’s remarks that the joint sitting was an all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) affair.

    “There is a need for Abdulmumin to be called to order because trying to subvert the truth is not good for this  institution,” he said.

    On his part, Ossai pleaded the leave of the House that he stepped down as Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee  because his name was mentioned in a national daily by Gudaji as being part of the lawmakers  responsible for collection of signature for Buhari’s impeachment.

    Ossai quoted  Gudaji as saying in the news report that he (Ossai) was mentioned as being a leading figure in the collection of signatures for the impeachment of the President.

    “If I’m a leading voice in the chamber, I’ll be happy but I’m not. So, I want this issue to be investigated because my constituents will ask question,” he said.

    Chinda asked that Gudaji be investigated because he was equally mentioned as being part of the arrowheads of the impeachment list.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara, in his ruling, expressed concern about his colleagues that could not understand the workings of the House, who rushes to the media immediately resolutions are reached.

    “I have problem with people, who don’t know what they are doing here and next thing is they go to press.

    “What happened yesterday was opened to all and we should always make statement that reflects the truth.

    “It’s unfortunate but since the issue has been raised, we have to refer it to Ethics and Privileges Committee.

    “As for Abdulmumin, we have to investigate it too,” he said.

    The two were referred to the Ethics and Privileges committee. Ossai’s prayer to step down as Chairman of the Committee being a party in the matter was granted.

  • House of Reps lifts suspension on Jibrin

    The House of Representatives has lifted the suspension placed on the former Chairman of its Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kano-APC).

    This followed a letter of apology sent to the House by Jibrin, which was presented by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, at plenary on Tuesday.

    The lawmaker was suspended in 2017 for 180 legislative days for allegedly exposing “budget padding” scandal in the legislative arm of government.

    Presenting the letter, Dogara said that the suspended legislator had met all the conditions necessary for him to resume his duties.

    He therefore said that Jibrin was free to resume his legislative duties whenever he wished

     

  • 2017 budget: Jibrin backs Osinbajo on project insertion

    2017 budget: Jibrin backs Osinbajo on project insertion

    Suspended House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) has expressed regrets that the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo may have played into the hands of the National Assembly by signing the 2017 budget into law despite the misgivings he had over the document.

    He said Osinbajo’s gesture should not be mistaken as a flaw and neither was it deserving of the threats he is getting from the federal legislators.

    Jibrin, in a statement yesterday, regretted that due process was jettisoned over grey areas identified by the acting President before the document was signed into law.

    He, however, assured that more facts about the 2016 budget were set to be released by him as a means of further identifying the inherent flaws in the 2017 budget document.

    He said: “The Acting President made what, in my opinion, was a harmless remark when he observed that the National Assembly has no powers to introduce new projects in the budget. In the same statement, however, he admitted the powers of National Assemblyto allocate resources as that is its core powers of appropriation.

    “I consider his statement very objective. His tone wasn’t confrontational, neither was his body language. Acting President Osinbajo had a day earlier signed the 2017 budget, noting that there were grey areas, especially funds lifted from key projects, to introduce new projects by National Assembly.

    “He further stated that he agreed to sign the budget after the assurance of commitment from National Assemblyto restore the lifted funds. That demonstration of faith in National Assembly was unprecedented, and the most generous concession in budget negotiation by a President since 1999.

    “No any president has ever agreed to sign the budget into law on the basis of extracting commitment from National Assembly to attend to outstanding issues after the budget is signed into law, the reasons being:

    “Once the budget is signed into law, the President must implement it, whether National Assembly makes the correction or not.

    “No President was ready to take the risk with National Assembly but Osinbajo did, as it appeared like striking a deal with an untrustworthy partner.”

    Jubrin said Osinbajo deserved a reciprocal gesture and unmistakable friendship from the lawmakers, not attacks and threats.

    The lawmaker added that in due course, he would do a recap of the 2016 budget fraud with new revelations of facts and key actors involved.

    “We will talk about fraud in 2017 budget, how members of the Executive arm collaborate with National Assembly in this venture, new strategies to beat vigilant eyes, concealment, abnormality, reckless spending, budget revenue frame work, and two dollar extra benchmark.

    “Also to be addressed are N140 billion increment in budget size amidst dwindling revenues (the largest in recent years), poor economics, the “reformed” budget process, public hearing of budget, page by page consideration of details, corrigendum, the lies, facts and half-truths of budgeting, conspiracy of a few members of National Assembly in the budget process against majority of the 359 members and 108 senators and, very importantly, how to stop these infractions.”

  • ‘N284b budget padding’: EFCC grills Jibrin for hours

    ‘N284b budget padding’: EFCC grills Jibrin for hours

    The budget padding allegation which rocked the House of Representatives last year has returned to the front burner.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday grilled former House Committee on Appropriations chairman Abdulmumin Jibrin for five hours over the about N284billion budget padding claim.

    It was learnt that Jibrin released fresh evidence to his interrogators.

    Sources described the “fresh insights” as “startling”.

    According to findings by our correspondent, Jibrin arrived at the EFCC Headquarters around 11am  for the session.

    He left at 4pm after what was described as an “interesting session”.

    Jibrin is the first lawmaker to be quizzed in the  first phase of the probe which is starting with 13 persons.

    About 50 members of the House, including four principal officers,  have been shortlisted for quizzing.

    The principal officers are Speaker Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuf; Minority Leader Leo Ogor; and House Whip Alhassan Doguwa.

    Ogor has been invited for interrogation on Friday.

    The probe followed a petition by Jibrin, who sources said, detectives have discovered also has a case to answer.

    Jibrin’s July 29, 2016 petition was sent through Hammart and Company, Doka Chambers, and Law Bond Solicitors.

    The signatories  are Mohammed Abdulhamid( Hammart and Company); A.B. Bako

    ( Doka Chambers)  and C. Nwachukwu (Law Bond Solicitors).

    A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Our detectives interrogated Jibrin for about five hours on his petition. He cooperated with our team by buttressing his allegations with  documents. He gave detectives fresh insights into the padding of the budget leading to more startling revelations. From the interesting session, this budget padding is deeper than we tought.

    “We are going to look into fresh clues provided by Jibrin who also has questions to answer on some constituency projects. I think more than two-thirds of members of the House were implicated in the budget padding. We will however restrict ourselves to 50 peculiar suspects.”

    The allegations are:

    • Inclusion of N20billion wasteful projects by House leaders.
    • Unilateral diversion of  N40billion,  out of the N100billion allocated for constituency projects, by some House leaders and distribution of  same to themselves.
    • Chairmen of about 10 of the 96 standing committees of the House inserted over 2,000 projects worth about N284billion.
    • Creation of  a strange line item in the Service Wide Vote to allow for a N20billion insertion into the budget under the name of the National Assembly.
    • Relocation of Appropriations Committee Secretariat on two occasions  where several insertions were made into the budget
    • Diversion of a Federal Government water project to a personal  farm in Nasarawa State and the source of funding.
    • Monthly deduction of funds from votes  meant for members’ office running cost to fund a so-called mortgage arrangement.
    • Abuse of office through frequent private meetings with heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in a clear case of corruption and conflict of interest.
    • Some leaders allocated 20 per cent inputs reserved for the House the harmonisation exercise.”
  • Budget padding: Jibrin, Ogor face EFCC today

    Budget padding: Jibrin, Ogor face EFCC today

    Suspended former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation Abdulmumin Jibrin is to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today.

    Minority Leader Leo Ogor has also been invited for interrogation on Friday by the EFCC over the budget padding allegation.

    Jibrin is expected to answer questions on the petition he earlier submitted to the commission over allegations of insertion of frivolous projects in the 2016 budget by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun and other principal officers as well as some committee chairmen.

    Jibrin, however, expressed his delight over the invitation, stating that his response would assist the commission in turning up more damming evidences that will aid investigation.

    In a statement yesterday, Jibrin expressed his confidence in the anti-corruption agency, adding that he learnt far-reaching discoveries have been made so far.

    It reads: “It is also noteworthy that this invitation is coming at a time that some revelations were made last week with details of how the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, used his company where he is the signatory to the accounts to execute constituency projects contracts completely against the laws of our land.

    “It is, however, worrisome that in his response, Ogor admitted the offense and even boosted that there is nothing wrong in what he did…

    “Let me state emphatically clear that any member or senator who used his company or companies with links to him to execute constituency project contracts, whether such contracts are executed or not, has committed an offence.

    “Either way you look at it, he can be prosecuted on charges of corruption or abuse of office. The case of Leo Ogor is same or even worse than that of Babachir Lawal, yet the entire National Assembly has maintained an embarrassing silence. Is my boss, Senate President and Chairman of National Assembly, Senate Bukola Saraki aware of this?

    “In due course, I will expose a lot of other issues in the 2017 budget that will shock Nigerians whether the authority decides to act on it or not.”

    The anti-graft agency has written the Code of Conduct Bureau on some issues in the Asset Declaration Forms of some of the 13 lawmakers in the first batch.

    “We will not release the name of the Representative linked with the BDC until a prima facie case has been established.”

    The source also gave updated on the status of the ongoing probe of the alleged padding of the 2016 Budget.

    The source added: “So far, 50 members of the House have been short-listed for interrogation in connection with 2016 Budget padding.

    “But we will only accommodate 13 representatives in the first batch to avoid any act capable of affecting the activities of the House because we are only looking into allegations.

     

  • Hon Jibrin lies low

    Hon Jibrin lies low

    Former House of Representatives Chairman of Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmimin Jibrin, has decided to lie low after his face-off with the leadership of the House who he accused of budget-padding. While the going was good, Hon. Jibrin was like a breath of fresh air in the National Assembly. Young and progressive, he was installed the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance in the 7th Assembly.

    His profile rose further when he was picked to head the juicy House Committee on Appropriation in the current dispensation. But that was where the bubble burst as the representative of Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano accused the principal officers of the house of padding the budget, leading to his removal from the committee. He was also accused of diverting funds meant for projects in the south to his own state. He was eventually suspended for a year.

    But the damage, though sizable, was not terminal. He recently returned from political exile and had a quiet 40th birthday celebration at his Abuja home with his wife and kids. As he gets ready to re-enter the frame, not a few observers are wondering whether the lawmaker will be able to recover lost grounds.

  • Jibrin calls for Buhari’s resignation

    Jibrin calls for Buhari’s resignation

    Suspended member of the House of Rep, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin on Friday called for ‘negotiated exit’ of President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

    Jibrin made the call in a series of tweets on his verified social media handle @AbdulAbmJ, saying that the country can not afford a sort of part time president at this time

    He noted that the President obviously has an health challenge which he must urgently attend to.

    “The president I see on camera needs full home care not office, moderately quiet life, enough rest and quality time with his family.

    “The interest of Buhari himself, his family and friends, some officials and regional sentiments are interest that should be addressed.

    Read tweets below:

     

     

  • Jibrin to Dogara: Return $600,000 you took from Ibori

    Jibrin to Dogara: Return $600,000 you took from Ibori

    •You’re wrong, Speaker tells sacked committee chair 

    Sacked Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano), claimed yesterday that his fight against corruption in the Green Chamber has the backing of two international organisations.
    He did not name the two organisations but challenged House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara to publicly acknowledge the funding of his emergence as Speaker by former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.
    Jibrin, in a statement, alleged that Dogara collected $600,000 from ex-convict Ibori to realise his speakership ambition.
    Dogara swiftly denied the allegation, saying he has no affinity with the former governor.
    Jibrin had said: “It is such a shame that Speaker Dogara denied the fact that former Governor James Ibori provided huge support to his emergence as Speaker by mobilising members from Delta State and some from the Southsouth and Southeast to support him.
    “Since he has disowned Ibori, he should at least have the honour to return the $600,000 Ibori donated to his speakership campaign. I am sure he cannot deny the fact that he collected that money cash!
    “We have secured funding from two reputable international organisation to establish an online platform that will serve as a central point to disseminate budget fraud and corruption acts and publish evidence and also hold lecture series and sensitization programs on budget fraud and corruption across the country.
    “Our first event will hold in Kano on 9th January 2017 with 5000 youths across the country in attendance. Our anti corruption crusade with be ruthless in 2017.
    “I remain very proud that despite the organised witch hunt against me using the institution of the house they have not been able to establish any offense that I have committed during the course of discharging my duties in the 5 years I have spent in the house.
    “It is noteworthy that no member of the house has formally accused me of corruption or abuse of office as I have consistently done against the Speaker and others.
    “?I have said repeatedly that I will remain committed to this fight against budget fraud and corruption for the rest of my life even if iam alone. It is a commitment iam ready to die for!”
    Jibrin was suspended by the House for bringing the institution into disrepute by his allegations of budget padding against some Principal Officers of the House and nine Committee Chairmen.
    But in a reaction last night, Dogara, speaking though his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said:”For the records, we want to state that the Rt. Hon. Speaker was elected by the votes of members of the House of Representatives. There may well be silent supporters and well wishers of the Honourable Speaker from far and near some of whom he may not be aware of.
    “Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara does not have a relationship, political or otherwise with formers Governor James Ibori of Delta state to warrant the insinuations in the statement credited to Senator Nwaboshi, and had never had one.”