Jibrin’s days of freedom are numbered, says rep

Herman Hembe, chairman of the house of representatives committee on federal capital territory (FCT), says the days of Abdulmumin Jibrin, former chairman of the committee on appropraitons, are numbered.

The lower chamber of the national assembly suspended Jibrin after he leveled an allegation of corruption against the leadership of the 8th assembly.

He subsequently left the country after raising the alarm over an alleged attempt to assassinate him and kidnap his family because of his anti-corruption crusade.

Jibrin, who had vowed not to return to the country until his safety was guaranteed, is currently in Nigeria.

Although Jibrin said he came to the country to provide more evidence to anti-graft agencies investigating the alleged corruption in the house, Hembe believes his colleague decided to return to Nigeria to avoid being arrested.

“I understand that the suspended Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has fled back to Nigeria after report of his ownership of five foreign accounts in Backlays Bank and property located at No. 81, Cotswold Gardens, London, NW2, 1PE in London was published,” he said in a statement‎.

“I wish to remind Jibrin that there is no longer hiding place for criminals.

“He fled to UK after getting hint that anti-graft agencies in Nigeria were investigating him in order to avoid arrest and prosecution

“Having realised that even in the UK the National Crime Agency and the Financial Intelligence Unit have already profiled him and may soon open a case against him; he sneaked back to Nigeria.

“His days of freedom are numbered and sooner rather than later he will face the full wrath of the law.”

Responding to the allegations, Jibrin said Hembe had resorted to fabrications because he knows that he would soon be arraigned for corruption.

“I returned to the country on the invitation of one of the anti-graft agencies who needed additional information from me as they were finalising investigation and ready to arraign Hon. Hembe and few others,” he said in a statement.

“I visited the agency and provided what they required and signed to stand witness.

“Hon. Hembe is obviously aware of this fact and has been panicky and running helter-skelter including trying to get the speaker to intervene and save him.

“I travelled peacefully from the Nnamdi Azikwe airport Abuja and landed at Heathrow Airport and same on my way back.

“I also enjoyed my stay in London and other part of Europe catching up with my vast international network, delivering lectures and granting interviews.

“I have responded to the lame allegations and my response are in the public glare.”

In November, the house passed a resolution mandating its committee on ethics and privileges to summon Jibrin to respond to allegations of ownership of foreign accounts.

The house also mandated the committee to summon him for poor representation and absenteeism levelled against him by a faction of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and some of his constituents.