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Tag: Jibrin

  • Suspended lawmaker, Jibrin, meets Buhari behind closed doors

    …hopeful to be recalled soon

    The suspended member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumuni Jibrin, on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors at Aso Villa in Abuja.

    Recall that Jibrin was suspended by the House in 2016, after he accused the House leadership of fraud. H, however,r declined to say if he met with the president to seek his intervention over his predicament

    Jibrin told State House correspondents after the meeting that he met with the president because he considered him a father.

    “Well, I cannot comment in that regard. The most important is that I saw him and he is in a very high spirit. I greeted him like a son and he spoke to me like a father,” he said.

    Commenting on the clamour for his recall, Mr. Jibrin, who represents Kiru/ Bebeji, said “it is only normal.”

    “Of course Nigerians like justice, my constituency has been suspended for 16 months, so it is only normal that people will talk and ask questions. Why are we not back on the aspect of court case that has been lingering in the court for the past 16 months. I think these are some of the reasons people are raising issues in the public glare,” he said.

    Jibrin described his experience as “a learning curve” and said “it is fine.”

    Jibrin also said his case is similar to that of the senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, who was also suspended but recently recalled by the Senate on the orders of the Court.

    He wondered why his case is being delayed by the judiciary.

    “The same case, similar case, identical case was dispensed with within two months; but I am still hanging in the court system. But again, I know the Nigerian judiciary is just, so I am pretty sure that soonest I will be able to get judgement and my constituency will soon get back to the house,” he said.

     

  • Jibrin yet to fulfil resumption condition – Reps

    The House of Representatives said yesterday that its suspended member, Abdulmumin Jibrin, is yet to fulfil the major condition set for him before he could return to the House.

    The House had on September 28 last year suspended Jibrin for 181 legislative days. The House also set a condition that the suspended lawmaker must apologize for “embarrassing” his colleagues in the media.

    But one year after, Jibrin is yet to apologize, spokesman of the House Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) told journalists in Abuja yesterday.

    Our correspondent reports that the House sits at plenary from Tuesday to Thursday, while its legislative days are counted from Monday to Friday. But within the period, the lawmakers embarked on series of breaks, including annual recess, which lasted for more than two months.

    Asked if Jibrin’s suspension period was over, Namdas said: “I talked with the chairman of the ethics and privileges committee, and he said the period is not yet over. “Besides, when we passed the resolution, we said he (Jibrin) should apologize before the expiration of his suspension period, but he is yet to do that. If he does that, it’ll be known by everybody because it’ll be public,” he said.

    Namdas could not give the exact date for Jibrin’s resumption.

    But Jibrin, in a reaction through his media aide, Godwin Onyeacholem, said he viewed Namdas’ comments as “insensitive and insult” to the people of his Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency.

    “I wish to state that Jibrin’s position on this issue remains, as always, immutable. He has maintained that denying his constituents representation for one good year is unconstitutional and negates all known democratic principles, just as asking him to apologize for doing no wrong is a negation of all known social norms.

    “It is somewhat weird that the official spokesman of the House claims that he does not know the exact date that Jibrin’s purported suspension would lapse. That in itself speaks volume of the subterfuge and sinister motives around the whole issue.”

  • 2017 Budget: Osinbajo played into the hands of NASS – Jibrin

    Suspended member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, took a risk by signing the 2017 Budget.

    In a statement released on Monday, Jibrin described Osinbajo’s action as the “most generous concession in budget negotiation by a president since 1999”.

    The lawmaker recalled that last year, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the document, until all “grey areas” were resolved and corrections effected by the House.

    “He (Osinbajo) further stated that he agreed to sign the budget after the assurance of commitment from NASS to restore the lifted funds. That demonstration of faith in NASS was unprecedented, and the most generous concession in budget negotiation by a President since 1999,” the statement read.

    “No President has ever agreed to sign the budget into law on the basis of extracting a commitment from NASS. In this case of Ag President Osinbajo, perhaps beyond the respect he enjoins, he must strive to also be feared, through resistance to compromising settlements in his relationship with NASS.

    “The reason isn’t far-fetched; all attempts to flatter and hoodwink President Buhari into signing the 2016 budget, by assuring to make corrections later, met an impenetrable brick wall. He saw through the smokescreen, and thus even refused to be blackmailed by threats of possible backlash from NASS if the budget is not signed before corrections are made and also the need to save time.

    “No President was ready to take the risk with NASS but Osinbajo did, as it appeared like striking a deal with an untrustworthy partner. Whether this seeming pact is calculated or not, is left for time and the scrutiny of vigilant and critical Nigerians to determine. What is obvious, however, is the Ag President has played into the hands of NASS.

    “What the Ag President has given to NASS is a victory it has never had in the budget process since 1999, understandably to strengthen the relationship between the two frequently hostile arms of government. And so, he deserves a reciprocal gesture and unmistakable friendship from the lawmakers, not attacks and threats.”

     

  • Fresh troubles for suspended lawmaker, Jibrin as party expels him

    The All Progressive Congress, APC, in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, says it has expelled Abdulmumuni Jibrin, the member of the House of Representatives who was suspended for accusing the leadership of the House of budget fraud.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Jibrin represents Bebeji Federal Constituency. The chapter of the party said Mr. Jibrin was expelled for taking part in anti-party activities.

    Reading the resolution expelling Jibrin Thursday, the party chairman in the local government, Sani Ranka, told journalists in Kano the party had taken all constitutional steps to make Mr. Jibrin step back from “anti-party activities”, to no avail.

    He said the party formed a five-member committee to meet with Mr. Jibrin, but the lawmaker refused to meet the panel.

    “Before taking this final decision, we formed a disciplinary five-man committee and they went to him on 11-4-2017, he saw them briefly but without any tangible talks and they went back on 13-4-2017 he then refused to see them,” he said.

    Ranka said after reporting back to the party executives, the party’s caucus agreed to expel Jibrin from the party.

    The party accused the suspended member of factionalizing the party, creating new unconstitutional leadership, going against the government of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and indiscipline against the national headquarters of the party and the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.

    Jibrin is however yet to react to the new development.

     

  • Budget padding allegations: EFCC invites Jibrin

    The suspended former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Jibrin’s invitation is based on his allegations on budget padding against the leadership of the House and to answer questions concerning money looted through padding in the 2016 budget.

    The EFCC’s letter of invitation to Jibrin dated June 9 was signed by the acting Head of Extractive Industry Grid Section, Mr Michael Wetkas.

    It said: “The commission has commenced investigation into the petition of corrupt practices and abuses of office reported on 1st August, 2016, by Hammart and Co. (Tafida Chambers) on your behalf against Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Hon. Yussuf Lasun, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, Hon. Leonard Ogor and others.

    “In furtherance of the investigation and due to unfolding findings, it has become imperative to request that you attend another interview with the team.

    “Through Ibrahim Ahmed on 13th June 2017 at the 3rd floor Block A, No.5 Fomelu street, off Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, at 10 a.m. to clarify some issues to enable us conclude investigation”.

    Jibrin in a statement on Monday in Abuja confirmed receipt of the letter.

    He said: “Today, I received invitation from the EFCC for another interview to clarify some issues to enable the commission conclude investigation on my petition against some principal officers of the House on 2016 budget fraud, corruption and abuse of office.

    “This is a welcome development as it is coming at a time that many Nigerians have lost hope that the outcome of my petition will not see the light of the day.

    “I have severally maintained that I have full confidence in the EFCC under the Chairmanship of Ibrahim Magu.

    “I am also aware that the EFCC have been investigating the petition I submitted and far reaching discoveries were made.

    “It is also noteworthy that this invitation is coming at a time that some revelations were made last week.

    “The revelations with details of how the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, used his company where he is the signatory to the accounts to execute constituency project contracts completely against the laws of our land.

    “It is however worrisome that in his response, Ogor admitted the offence and even boosted that there is nothing wrong in what he did as quoted by the nation’s newspaper.

    “Let me state emphatically clear that any Member or Senator who used his company or companies with links to him to execute constituency project contracts, whether such contracts are executed or not has committed an offence.

    “Either way you look at it, he can be prosecuted on charges of corruption or abuse of office.

    “The case of Leo Ogor is same or even worst than that of Babachir Lawal yet the entire National Assembly has maintained an embarrassing silence.

    “Is my boss, Senate President and Chairman of National Assembly, Sen. Bukola Saraki aware of this?

    “In due course I will expose a lot of other issues in the 2017 budget that will shock Nigerians whether the authority decides to act on it or not.”

     

  • ‘If your pay slip is authentic, I earn more than you’ Jibrin lampoons Dogara

    A former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on appropriation, Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin has reacted to the release of the monthly pay slip by Speaker Honourable Yakubu Dogara.

    Dogara on Tuesday following a challenge by Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai released his monthly earnings.

    But reacting to the speaker’s pay slip release, Jibrin in a series of tweets on Wednesday said if what Dogara made available to the public was authentic, then he (Jibrin) earned more than the speaker according to his salary statement of account.

    He writes, “I will make few comments on the response of Speaker Dogara to El Rufai and as usual using the institution of the House as cover.

    “As regard NASS budget, I completely agree with paragraph 9, 10 and 11 but will raise issues on paragraph 5, 6, and the pay slip.

    “The statement failed to address the call by Nigerians and majority of members for Mr Speaker to disclose details of our internal budget.

    “Beside salaries, allowances and running cost, no member has details of about 20 other expenditure heads captured in Namdas statement.

    he added, Mr Speaker, you know that NILS HQ is not completely funded from NASS allocation but part funded by FG under service wide vote.

    “If Mr Speaker is saying ‘budget disclosure’ commences 2017, Nigerians will never see details of how a trillion was spent in last 10 years?

    “Its no favour to Nigerians disclosing details of budget. In fact, it is a criminal offense to refuse even members copy of their budget.

    “If what I saw is the authentic pay slip of Mr Speaker, it means I earn more than him from what I see in my salary statement of account.

    “I have requested for my pay slip from NASS, I will publish it and my monthly salary statement of account. Perhaps I have been over paid.

    “I have so much comments to make on 2017 budget which I will release before the budget is transmitted to Mr President, God grace.”

  • Unsavoury comments: Jibrin apologises to Buhari, organises prayer session for him

    Unsavoury comments: Jibrin apologises to Buhari, organises prayer session for him

    Abdulmumini Jibrin, the member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal constituency in Kano state, has apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent comments he made on him.

    Jibrin made the remarks while addressing his supporters at his residence shortly after conducting special prayer for the president in Kofa Juma’at Mosque, Bebeji local government area of the state on Friday.

    “I apologise to President, All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and all APC supporters over what I said even though it was misinterpreted and misconstrued.

    “To my party supporters, leaders, friends and all those who felt offended over my comments, I sincerely apologise.

    “While I offered the advice and proffered solutions in good faith, some political detractors availed themselves of the opportunity to deliberately misconstrue and misjudge my remarks in order to put me on coalition course with my party and President,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Jibrin, who is currently on a suspension imposed on him by the House of Representatives over the 2016 budget padding scandal, said he would remain an ardent supporter of President Buhari and his anti-corruption crusade.

    He said for long he had launched Muhammadu Buhari Special Empowerment programmes as part of his support for President Buhari.

    “I was in the United Kingdom when the thing happened. What I did was to rush down home in the next available flight. I want show them that Iam still with my people and they support me at all times,”he said.

    The chairman of APC Kofa ward, Alhaji Bala Shuaibu, described those who earlier participated in protest against the legislator at the state party Secretariat in Kano as “mere rented crowd and opportunists”.

    He assured Jibrin of the total support of the constituents adding what he said in his tweeter handle was not reported in details, which gave room for unnecessary misinterpretation.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Jibrin had on March 30, in a series of tweets, asked the president to resign an action which drew the ire of some members of his constituency who promised to initiate a recall process against him.

     

     

    NAN

  • PMB, TIME TO LET GO: Jibrin begs sick Buhari to resign

    PMB, TIME TO LET GO: Jibrin begs sick Buhari to resign

    Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, yesterday, begged President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.

    In a series of tweet, the lawmaker who themed his campaign for Buhari’s resignation, “PMB TIME TO LET GO”Jibrin, said the president should resign because of his health, which has left many of his supporters worried.

    His tweets, ” PMB, TIME TO LET GO: So many issues are left unattended even small issues that a presidential cough can deal with are left hanging.

    “Supporters are worried, understandably resorting to grumbling in hush voices while keeping bold faces and holding on to hope and prayers.

    “The govt has so many soft target for internal and external opposition to feast. We must tell ourselves the truth rather than live in denial

    “At PMB’s age, working actively for over 50 years, even without his present health condition, his capacity will be greatly challenged.

    “Mr president himself admitted that he has never been this sick in his entire life which makes the entire scenario really worrisome.

    “Then we are reminded everyday that PMB will travel abroad again to attend to his health as if it is just normal and we should celebrate?

    “I believe that the combination of these two factors of his age and health situation has slowed down the pace of PMB and the APC govt.

    “This has become clearly noticeable because it is a time that the country is expected to be on auto cruise in dealing with its challenges, bearing in mind that the present APC government is fast running out of time yet things continue to go even slower, slower and slower!

    “The more PMB appears on camera, the more the narrative of his health situation takes the centre stage and the uncertainty it creates.

    “The president I see on camera needs full home care not office, moderately quiet life, enough rest and quality time with his family

    “It is a narrative that has overpowered whatever official function Mr President is discharging since his return from medical vacation.

    “PMB gave his all to Nigeria. He is a great man, an enigma like Mandela. If we truly love him, We must not allow him to be rubbished.

    “Life and health belong to God but the more I see pictures of Mr President, the more I am convinced he needs to go and rest. He needs it!

    “Sometimes there is no harm in been driven in a car you labour to buy and who knows? You might even enjoy the ride better on owners’ seat.

    “PMB should opt for or encourage to accept a negotiated exit. The country can not afford a sort of part-time president at this time.

    “This is not as easy but it is doable. I do not think PMB is obsessed with power, I only think the practical way to go about things is to key in the interest of those who are or can be an obstacle around the president for fear of losing their positions or relevance.

    “The interest of PMB himself, his family and friends, some officials and regional sentiments are interest that should be addressed.

    “If we truly love PMB, we must apply some urgent diplomacy, resolve these issues quickly, move on and save the country valuable time.

    “Mr President can be giving a special concession to nominate a new VP. We should expect that he nominates a very competent northerner.

    “A nominee that can get things done and have the capacity to unite the north and assuage it feelings for losing the presidency again.

    “We the northerners should accept it as destiny, may be Almighty God is so disappointed with the present generation of northern leaders.

    “And may be God wants to reserve the northern presidential slot for the younger and vibrant northern generation that will come after us.

    “I also believe Mrs Buhari is competent enough and can be considered for a cabinet position. She has paid her dues in APC, anyway.

    “The incoming President will have to do some diplomatic shuttle to few powerful officials to address whatever their fears may be.

    “A committee of all former heads of states, APC leaders and DSS can work together to push through this agenda in our collective interest.

    “I apologise to anybody who might misunderstand my tweets or feel offended. I have to love PMB even more and have nothing against him.

    “But this is my candid opinion and advice. It may not be the case or perfect but it has conviction of my conscience and I will sleep well.

    “I have listened to many arguments, none is worth the life of PMB. He has done his best. I believe it is time he let go.”

  • Jibrin denies fleeing from UK as House alleges

    The House of Representatives has said that the former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin fled United Kingdom (UK) to avoid being arrested by anti-graft agencies on his trail for alleged criminal activities.

    ‎Jibrin has promptly denied the allegation and said he returned to Nigeria on the invitation of one of the anti-graft agencies.

    He spent two months in the United Kingdom.

    Chairman of the House committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Herman Hembe, however alleged that Jibrin was on the run because security agencies were after him in the UK.

    The lawmaker who had a running battle with Jibrin since the budget padding allegations threatened that there will be “no hiding place for Jibrin”.

    He said “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.

    “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”

    According to Hembe, ” 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 quietly sneaked back to Nigeria.

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

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jibrin had last Nov. fled the country over an alleged attempt to assassinate him and kidnap his family because of his anti-corruption crusade against the leadership of the House of Representatives.

    ‎Jibrin was reported to have vowed not to return to the country until his safety was guaranteed.‎

    NAN also reports that in Nov. the House passed a resolution mandating it’s 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.

    Responding to the allegations of running away from UK, Jibrin in a statement explained that he was in the country at the behest of one of the anti-graft agencies.

    He said “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.

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

    According to him, “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,”Jibrin said.

  • Reps pass motion to invite suspended lawmaker, Jibrin over fresh petitions

    The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to allow suspended lawmaker, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin into the National Assembly premises for the purpose of defending himself before the Ethics and Privileges Committee following fresh petitions against him.

    This followed a motion by Rep. Ossai Ossai, the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

    Moving the motion, Ossai explained that the motion followed the receipt of two fresh petitions against Jibrin by the National Youth Council.

    Ossai said “the Committee on Ethics and Privileges has commenced investigations into the petitions and it seeks the indulgence of the house to invite Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.

    “It is on the grounds of fair hearing that he will be allowed into the premises of the House for the purpose of defending allegations contained in the petitions,”he said.

    Ossai said that 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 as amended.

    Rep. Aliyu Madaki (APC-Kano) said that since Jibrin had been suspended and the issue was a subject of litigation, there was no need to consider the motion.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said that the matter in court did not have anything to do with absenteeism or the foreign accounts said to be operated by Jibrin.

    Dogara said “we don’t know of any case in court as regards operating foreign accounts or absenteeism, but this is in line with fair hearing and I think that is why the motion is here.”

    Recall that Jibrin was suspended in September 2016 for 180 legislative days for breach of members’ privilege in his 2016 budget padding allegations.