The immediate past Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmunin Jibrin, is accusing Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other Principal officers of the House of harassing, monitoring and intimidating him following his allegation that they sought to pad this year’s budget to the tune of N40 billion.
His Lawyers dispatched a petition to the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday, protesting “subterranean and clandestine efforts” by Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House Whip Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa and House Minority Leader Hon. Leo Ogor to “obstruct justice.” Ogor, responding to Jibrin’s claim about involvement in budget padding, dismissed it as cheap blackmail.
Members of the House were divided yesterday on what position to take on the issue. Some asked the four principal officers to step aside while the matter is investigated while others called for proof from Jibrin, failing which he should be sanctioned.
