EFCC summons NASS clerk

Jibrin Moves To Avert Arrest, Suspension From House

The Economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) has summoned the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Mohammed Sani Omolori, just as the former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumini Jibrin, has approached the court to escape incurring the wrath of his colleagues, who may suspend him from the House.

Omolori, whose appointment as substantive CNA takes effect next week, was clerk of the House, whose Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and three other principal officers were accused by Jibrin of “padding” this year’s budget.

The decision by the EFCC to summon Omolori may not be unconnected with the petition filed by Jibrin urging the anti-graft agency to probe Dogara and principal officers- Yusuff Lasun (the Deputy Speaker), Alhassan Ado Doguwa (Chief Whip) and Leo Ogor (Minority Leader).

Jibrin had among others accused Dogara of designing a scheme to scam House members through the deduction from their salaries certain amount of money for a so-called mortgage arrangements to build houses for them by using underhand tactics to ensure members agree to the deal.

Jibrin, in a suit with No. FHC/ABJ/CS/595 against the House, Speaker and others, is seeking an order of the court to restrain the House from suspending him, pending the determination of a substantive suit, with reference No. FHC/ABJ/CS/539.

In the suit, he is seeking an injunction restraining the Police and other anti-graft agencies from arresting or charging him to court on the budget padding saga and sundry issues relating to corrupt practices.

In an affidavit deposed in the court, Jibrin said if the respondents/defendants “are not immediately restrained,” he would be suspended as a member of the House and “this would greatly prejudice him and thousands of his constituents, who rely on him to afford them their due representations in the federal legislature.”

In the affidavit, Jibrin claimed that he was aware that some of his colleagues had held meetings, wherein they agreed to urgently reconvene the House, which is presently on recess, with a desperate agenda to suspend him as a member of the House.

But a source countered, saying: “This is in sharp contrast to series of statements Jibrin released in which he called for the reconvening of the House to address the allegations he raised against the Speaker and 13 others,”