Reps committee begins probe of budget padding allegations

From Kemi Yesufu and Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges, yesterday commenced investigations into the alleged breach of the collective privilege of the House leveled against former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Jibrin, on Wednesday, was referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee following the adoption of a motion entitled: “Breach of Privileges of Federal Republic of Nigeria (the House), Breach of Privileges of Members of House Representatives, Breach of Practices, Precedents and Usage of the House of Representatives and Sundry Acts of Misconducts against the Members and Institution  of the House  of Representatives and the National Assembly are contrary to sections 22 and 30 of Legislative (Powers and Privileges Act)”, sponsored by Emmanuel Oker-Jev (Benue-APC).
Orker -Jev  who appeared at the hearing yesterday told the committee that Jibrin’s statements had brought the House to disrepute and reduced it’s standing in the eye of the public.
The lawmaker who was responding to questions from the Ossai Nicholas Ossai headed committee on how exactly the collective privilege of the House was breached provided both physical and electronic evidence of statements and interviews by Jibrin, which he said warrants his being sanctioned.
Jibrin is scheduled to appear before the committee on Monday.
Oker-Jev further told the committee that he had been approached my many members of the House who said Jibrin’s utterances, his statements to the media and postings on the social media had left them embarrassed.
He also argued that the former chairman had severally alleged that, “the oversight(s) and public hearings conducted by the House were riddled with corruption”.
“Several members came to me that they want to do this (move a motion on a breach of privilege against Jibrin). But it would have been haphazard,so I took it upon myself to do it”, Oker-Jev said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Ossai assured that the committee will follow the rules of the House in conducting its investigation.
“I wish to state that the activities of this Committee are being closely followed by Nigerians as well as the international community, who are anxious to see the end of this matter. I therefore assure you that the committee will be objective in all its dealings on this matter”, he said.