Budget padding: Jibrin shuns Ethics Committee

Sacked Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Jibrin Abdulmumin, yesterday shunned the Ethics and Privileges Committee investigating him over alleged breach of members privileges, having accused them of corruption.Recall that Jibrin was axed as Chairman of Appropriation, Committee, following revolt by members who called for his removal over alleged high handedness and padding of the 2016 budget with many projects to favour his constituencies. Jibrin, however, accused the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, his deputy, Yusuf Lasun, the Chief Whip, Alhassan Doguwa, and the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor of being behind the alleged padding of the budget and even accused the House of corruption.After listening to the motion on breach of members’ privileges and misconduct brought against Jibrin on the floor of the House during plenary last week, by the House Committee Chairman on Rules and Business, Emmanuel Orker-Jev, the Speaker referred the matter to the Ossai Nicholas Ossai-led Committee on Ethics and Privileges in accordance with House Rules.But Jibrin, who was scheduled to appear before the Committee yesterday, failed to turn-up to defend himself of the allegations against him. The committee adjourned briefly twice yesterday waiting to see if the former appropriation committee chairman would appear but all to no avail. Consequently, Chairman of the Committee, Ossai, adjourned the investigative hearing sine die.