Protesters under the aegis of Coalition in Defence of democracy (CDD) in their hundreds stormed the precinct of the National Assembly on Wednesday, demanding immediate suspension of Abdulmumini Jibrin, the embattled former chairman of House of Representatives’ Appropriation committee.
Brandished several banners and placards, the protesters alleged Jibrin went out of his way to malign the institution of the National Assembly over the 2016 budget without justifiable reason.
Some of the placards brandished read, “We demand the indefinite suspension and prosecution of Hon Jibrin for contempt of the House, operating of foreign account, scandalizing the House, contract splitting, money laundering and living above his means.”
Some other banners read: ” EFCC – prosecute Jibrin for operating £1.37 million pounds foreign account – Africa media”, “Hon Jibrin is a professional blackmailer”, “Coalition in Defence of Democracy wants Reps to suspend Hon Jibrin for his failed plot to destroy the legislature”, “Coalition of civil society group wants NASS and AG to suspend and prosecute Jibrin for blackmail, contempt of the House, operating foreign account, contract splitting, and IL -gotten wealth.”
Mr Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who led the procession told reporters that they had already approached the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Mr Abubakar Malami, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to prosecute the lawmaker for allegedly maintaining a foreign account in the United kingdom (UK), and also his admission of illegally receiving N650,000,000.00 in the House of Representatives.
He supported the call for suspension of Jibrin by arguing that he has violated section 24 of the legislative houses (powers and privileges) Act which prohibits members of the House from defaming the House any of its committees unjustly.
Ugochinyere who accused Jibrin of plotting to derail democracy noted: “This dastardly plot to destabilize the parliament is real. It aims at discrediting the parliament to enable them force a leadership change to suit the whims and caprices of those external forces who could not win on the floor of the parliament who are now using Jibrin to continue a battle they were roundly defeated.
“Despite knowing the powers of the legislature in appropriation as provided in section 59, 81, 82 of the constitution, Jibrin has obliged himself to negative democratic influences who are willing to go the extra mile to derail democracy. This must be be condemned in its entirety.”
He further maintained that Jibrin’s alleged ownership of foreign account contravenes the provisions of the 1999 constitution which bars public officer from owning and operating foreign account.
