180-Day Suspension: Jubrin Heads To Court

The House of Representatives on Wednesday suspended its former Chairman, Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, from the parliament for 180 legislative days (roughly one year).


He was also banned from holding any position of responsibility in the House for the rest of the 8th National Assembly.


 In addition, he would tender a written apology to the House on resumption from suspension.

This followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges which investigated allegations of breach of privileges of the House and its members by Jibrin.

In his reaction to the development, Jibrin said the entire process leading to his suspension was flawed and as far as he was concerned, “it is a non-issue and complete nonsense and it is not going to stand anywhere in the world.

“As you are aware, the matter is a subject of litigation, I have instructed my lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, to file charges of contempt against Speaker Dogara and of course the House of Representatives and I’m sure the matter will move over to the judiciary and decision will be taken. I’m pretty sure it will be in my favour.”

Falana, who berated  Dogara over the suspension of  Jibrin, said the suspension would not stand the test of time.

In a message sent to our correspondent via email, Falana said, “It is the height of contempt. It is a primitive resort to self-help by the House of Representatives. Since the matter is in court, the House deliberately breached its rule of not interfering with pending judicial proceedings.

“In his desperation to cover up the scandal the Speaker, Honourable Dogara, made himself the accuser, witness, prosecutor and judge at the same time and thereby breached the elementary rule of nemo judex in causa sua (thou shall not be a judge in your own cause).”

Culled From Punch