Hundreds of protesters under the aegis of coalition in defence of democracy (CDD) yesterday stormed the precinct of the national Assembly demanding the immediate suspension of embattled chairman of the House of Representatives committee, Dr Abdulmumini Jibrin.
The protesters who brandished several banners and placards wondered why Jibrin went out of his way to malign the institution of the national Assembly over the 2016 budget without justifiable reason.
The placard brandished by the protesters reads “We demand the indefinite suspension and prosecution of Hon Jibrin for contempt of the House, operating of foreign account, scandalising the House, contract splitting, money laundering and living above his means.”
Some of the 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 also based his call for the suspension of Jibrin arguing that he had 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 dastard 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 ownership of foreign account contravenes the provisions of the 1999 constitution which bars public officer from owning and operating foreign account.
Said he: “Paragraph 3, Part one of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, provides : ” The President, Vice President, .. Members of the National Assembly and Houses of Assembly of States and such other public officers or persons as the National Assembly May by law prescribe. Shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria.
Continuing, he said: “Today we kept to our words and have submitted our petition to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Hon. Jibrin, we call on them as a matter of urgency to unravel.
“The real identity of the owner of the Account on the bank statement allegedly identified as Mr. A. Jibrin of 453 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex, IG2 6EW. ii. The true identity of the Nigerian who was a Director of Berkley Investment Limited identified as Abdulmumin Jibrin and whose address is listed as 453 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex, IG2 6EW.
“Whether the Abdulmumin Jibrin born in September 1976 and who was a Director in Berkley Investment Limited Ilford, United Kingdom is the same person as Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of Nigeria House of Representatives born in September, 1976. iv. The real identity of the persons who operated the accounts of Berkley Investments Limited up till 2nd January, 2012 when Abdulmumin Jibrin resigned from being a Director.
“Whether Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin declared his membership and directorship of the company Berkley Investment Limited in his 2011 Declaration of Assets Form after his election into the House of Representatives.
“Whether Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin declared ownership of the Direct Offshore Savings Account with ING Bank I the United Kingdom in his 2011 and 2015 Declaration of Assets Forms.
