By; JOSHUA I. EGBODO, Abuja.
As the House of Representatives resume plenary this Tuesday morning, there have been indications that protests would greet members over the controversial alleged padding of the 2016 budget.
Unconfirmed reports were that while former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin has mobilised enough protesters, the pro-Dogara protesters would also be on ground to counter them.
Meanwhile, the Coalition In Defence of Democracy (CDD), has urged Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to immediately prosecute former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin over his alleged ownership of a bank account and company in the United Kingdom.
A statement signed by its convener, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Monday, while calling on the House to suspend Jibrin for “blackmail” of its leadership, said “we demand that the Attorney General of the Federation immediately commence the prosecution of Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin for his violation of section 24 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act”, a law it cited as prohibiting publication of certain statements which falsely or scandalously defames a legislative house, or any of its committee.
It further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to also charge him on his recent admittance to illegally receiving N650 million in the House of Representatives as a member.
Jibrin however, in a reaction denied the allegations, explaining that “I DO NOT own such account or balance, neither do I have anything whatsoever to do with the said address at Essex.
“This blackmail is part of a wider propaganda arranged by the desperate Speaker Dogara through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. CID Maduabum,” whom he said has recruited and paid N20 million to one Ifeanyi Okonkwo and Ikenga Ugochinyere of a shadow youth organisation to do the hatched job” he said.
