Reps set aside Jibrin’s suspension — just for one day

The house of representatives has passed a resolution allowing Abdulmumin Jibrin into the national assembly premises for the purpose of defending himself before the ethics and privileges committee, following fresh petitions against him.

Jibrin was suspended for 180 legislative days on September 24 over an alleged breach of legislators privileges arising from the budget padding allegations he levelled against Yakubu Dogara, the speaker.

But in a motion on Wednesday, Ossai Ossai, chairman of the ethics committee, said he was in receipt of two fresh petitions against Jibrin.

“The committee on ethics and privileges has commenced investigations into the petitions and seeks the indulgence of the house to invite Hon. 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.

He said 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.

Contributing to the debate, Aliyu Madaki, a legislator from Kano, said since he had been suspended there was no need to consider the motion.

“Jibrin is not my friend but let us do the right thing. He has been suspended for one year; why are we considering this then? Let the court case take its course,” Madaki said.

Also speaking, Dogara said the matter in court did not have anything to do with absenteeism or the foreign accounts said to be operated by Jibrin.

“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,” the speaker said.

The house adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by Dogara.