Reps seek EFCC’s probe of Jibrin for budget padding

The Budget 2016 padding scandal rocking the House of Representatives deepened yesterday, with the leadership asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the sacked Appropriation Committee chairman Abdulmumin Jibrin.

The probe, it said, should start from when he was chairman of the Finance Committee in the Seventh Assembly.

But, Jibrin dismissed his colleagues’ plan, urging Speaker Yakubu Dogara to clear himself of the allegations of budget padding.

Last week, Jibrin accused Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuff Lasun, Chief Whip Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor of asking him to allocate to them N40 billion of the N100 billion allocation for members’ constituency projects.

Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman, House Information Committee Abdulrazak Namdas said Jibrin would also be refered to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for investigation

He said given the workings of the budget process, the House cannot be accused of padding because there is nothing like that.

Namdas challenged Jibrin (APC, Kano) to show evidence of the complicity of Dogara and the other principal officers in the padding.

He, however, declined to take up issue with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who accused the lawmakers of corruption.

Namdas said: “Section 4 empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the good governance of the federation while Section 59 confers on the Legislature final say on the budget.

“Section 80 (4) on the other hand, which confers on the legislature absolute power of control over public funds, states: “No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly”.

“The word manner confers absolute legislative discretion.

“When, therefore, the National Assembly appropriates funds in the budget, it can never under any circumstances or guise be deemed or regarded as tinkering or padding.

“The legislature is therefore constitutionally incapable of padding the budget.

“What the Executive submits are mere estimates and proposal as stipulated in Section 81 (1).

“It is obvious that the Constitution uses the word Estimates advisedly. Consequently, it is therefore an exhibition of crass ignorance, abuse of language, outright mischief and or blackmail for a legislator especially one who chaired the Appropriations Committee to use the word PADDING to describe the action of parliament on the budget.

“The removal, introduction of projects or the amendment of Mr. President’s estimates in the Appropriation Bill cannot be construed as an Act of corruption or impropriety because it is at the core of appropriation powers of the National Assembly as aptly enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

“It is therefore clear, that no crime or wrong doing can be legitimately imputed on the actions or conduct of Mr. Speaker, the Leadership or Members of the House of Representatives before, during and after the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill”.

He said Jibrin was investigated by the House for gross misconduct as a result of complaints over his misuse of power by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) since his Chairmanship of Finance Committee in the 7th Assembly.

Namdas added: “Jibrin’s removal was based on sundry acts of misconduct, incompetence, total disregard for his colleagues and abuse of the budgetary process, among others.

“Immaturity and lack of capacity to handle the Office of Chairman, Appropriations: Read more thenationonlineng