Reps to probe Jibrin again over alleged foreign accounts

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to allow the former Chairman, House committee on Appropriation, Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin to enter the precincts of the House to face fresh two allegations against him.

The House resolution followed a motion sponsored by Honourable Ossai Ossai entitled: “Need to grant Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin fair hearing in respect of petitions against him” informed the House that there were two fresh petitions against Honourable Jibrin.

It will be recalled that the House had through resolution passed on the September 24 suspended Honourable Jibrin for 180 legislative days.

According to him, the first petition against Jibrin was on his absenteeism and alleged poor representation of Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House.

The second allegation he said was on operation of foreign accounts in violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Consequently, he said that, “The committee on ethics and privileges has commenced investigations into the petitions and the seeks the indulgence of the House to invite Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, on grounds of fair hearing, to be allowed into the precincts of the house for the purpose of the defending the allegations contained in the petitions,” the legislator told the house.

However, a point of order raised by Honourable Aliyu Madaki to stop the motion was not sustained by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara.

The lawmaker had pointed out that the matter was in court, but the Speaker said that the matter in court did not have anything to do with absenteeism or the foreign accounts.

According to the Speaker, “We don’t know of any case in court as regards operating of foreign accounts or absenteeism, but this is in line with fairing hearing and I think that is why the motion is here.”

When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, it was supported by members.