TheCable

Ossai Ossai, chairman of the house of representatives committee on ethics and privileges, says Abdulmumin Jibrin, suspended former member of the committee on appropriations, could have served 12 months in jail were it not for the desire of the lawmakers to “only deal with the substantive matter”.

Jibrin was suspended for 180 legislative days for allegedly breaching the privileges of legislators.

This emanated from the budget padding allegations he levelled against Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, and four other principal officers.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Ossai said the suspension of Jibrin was done according to the house rules.

“When you are looking at powers and privileges act, it prescribed that you will be prosecuted; it prescribes 12 months in jail on talking on issues the house has not given you the authority to talk on,” he said.

“We didn’t go to that extent because we needed to deal with the substantive matter and to that extent, what we have recommended is in line with our rules, completely in line. What predicated from the national assembly having rules?

“Section 62 sub section 1 to 3 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly stated that the house has the authority to constitute itself into committees and these committees are also empowered to the house to form a committee that regulates itself.

“It is on that premise that the house committee on ethics and privileges was also put in place and this committee was put in place when Jibrin had not come up with this thing.

“To buttress it, Jibrin is part and parcel of that committee; he never knew he would have an issue so I believe that the house has acted based on the constitutional mandate.

“First of all we rely on our rules, we rely on the code of conduct of members which was passed, we also relied on the constitution and the power and privileges act so you could see everything was tied up looking at this issue and if he resumes after 180 legislative sitting days.

“The house will look at his matter if he is ready to present it.”

He added that Nigerians had the right to petition the ethics committee against any lawmaker who had “misbehaved.”

“Any member that misbehaves in any area, you are entitled to write a petition, the committee wants to make sure that we are in line with constitution and the oath sworn by us,” he said.