Reps pass motion to invite lawmaker over fresh petitions

chika ebuzor

December 7, 2016 8:14 PM

This followed a motion by the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, which was unanimously adopted by members.

Abdulmumin Jibrin

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to allow Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin into the National Assembly premises to defend himself before the Ethics and Privileges Committee following fresh petitions against him.

This followed a motion by Rep. Ossai Ossai, the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Moving the motion, Ossai explained that the motion followed the receipt of two fresh petitions against Jibrin by the National Youth Council.

Ossai said “the Committee on Ethics and Privileges has commenced investigations into the petitions and it seeks the indulgence of the house to invite Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin."

“It is on the grounds of fair hearing that he will be allowed into the premises of the House for the purpose of defending allegations contained in the petitions,”he said.

Ossai said that the petitions received against Jibrin were on his absenteeism and poor representation of his constituency of Kiru/Bebeji in Kano State and for operating foreign accounts which was in violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Rep. Aliyu Madaki (APC-Kano) said that since Jibrin had been suspended and the issue was a subject of litigation, there was no need to consider the motion.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said that the matter in court did not have anything to do with absenteeism or the foreign accounts said to be operated by Jibrin.

Dogara said “we don’t know of any case in court as regards operating foreign accounts or absenteeism, but this is in line with fair hearing and I think that is why the motion is here.”

ALSO READ:Jibrin linked to at least 5 active foreign accounts

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jibrin was suspended in September 2016 for 180 legislative days for breach of members’ privilege in his 2016 budget padding allegations.

chika ebuzor