Presidential anti-corruption committee summons Jibrin

• Reps doubt implementation of social intervention scheme
The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption has summoned the embattled Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmunini Jibrin, to explain his role in the budget padding scandal in the lower chamber.

Jibrin had accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers of the House of fraudulently padding the 2016 budget to the tune of N40 billion.

The anti-graft body in a letter addressed to the lawmaker signed by the executive secretary of the committee, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, directed Jibrin to appear before it today by 11am.Jibril confirmed the receipt of the invitation, saying: “This is another victory to ensure that justice is served on Speaker Dogara, Lasun, Doguwa, Ogor and nine other members.”

According to him: “I have received official invitation from Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption to make a comprehensive presentation to the committee on the allegations I raised against the speaker and others.”

Meanwhile, the House has expressed the fear that the Federal Government may not fulfill its promises to implement the N500 billion social intervention programme.The Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Mr. Golu Timothy, who spoke during an interactive session with the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, said the position of the House was based on the controversies surrounding the 2016 budget.

The lawmaker said they were excluded from the scheme during the discussions on the budget.The committee urged those in charge of the programme to involve the National Assembly in the evaluation and monitoring of cash transfer, free food and the N-Power programmes by making the database available.