The House of Representatives has passed a resolution allowing Rep. 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, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
While presenting the motion, Ossai explained that the motion was sequel to the receipt of two fresh petitions against Jibrin by the National Youth Council.
"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.
"This is on the grounds of fair hearing to be allowed into the premises of the house for the purpose of defending the 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.
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, Mr 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.
"We don't know of any case in court as regards operating of foreign accounts or absenteeism, but this is in line with fair hearing and I think that is why the motion is here," the speaker said.
Recalls that Jibrin was suspended in September, 2016 for 180 legislative days for breech of members' privilege in his 2016 budget padding allegations.
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