Budget-Padding Whistle-Blower Jibrin Seeks Court Protection Over Plot To Suspend Him As House Member

Jibrin

Budget-padding whistle-blower and former Chairman, Appropriation Committee, House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin has sought the protection of the court over alleged plot to suspend him as a member of the House of Representatives.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/595/2016, commenced by way of writ of summons and filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja on August 9, 2016, Jibrin  seeks principally to restrain the House of Representatives, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, dis deputy Yusuf Lasun and its principal officers from giving effect to their alleged plot to suspend him as member of the House.

Jibrin, an All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, is also seeking an ex-parte order, restraining the defendants, among other things, from taking steps to suspend him pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Listed as defendants in the suit are: The House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Yusuf Lasun, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Leo Ogor, Herman Hembe, Umar Mohammed Bago, Zakari Mohammed, Chike Okafor, Dan Asuquo, Jagaba Adms, Haliru Jika and Uzoma Abonta.

Jibrin, in the substantive suit, seeks a declaration that the defendants are bound to comply with the provisions of Sections 49, 54, 56 and 60 of the 1999 Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House of Reps, regulating its sitting, procedure and other matters in the conduct of its legislative functions as provided in the Constitution and the Standing Orders made pursuant to the Constitution.

He also wants a relief by way of court declaration that the decision taken by the defendants at a meeting held on August 3, 2016 to suspend him as a member of the House of Reps, without granting him the right to fair hearing, is unlawful.