The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Interior, Adams Jagaba has pointed an accusing finger on former Chairman of the House committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, saying that the former lecturer, now anti-corruption crusader, is living above his means.
Recall that Jibrin had yesterday submitted a petition on budget padding to the ICPC, other anti-graft agencies and the police against Jagaba, the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara and other leaders of the Lower Chamber.
Jagaba, who made the accusation yesterday while speaking with journalists in Abuja, wondered how Jibrin, who is a lawmaker and a former lecturer, live in “a posh personal apartment at the highbrow Maitama District” of Abuja.
He added, “Ordinarily, I would have ignored the said publication, but I am compelled to respond for posterity sake.
“Without sounding immodest, my anti-corruption crusade dates back to my first term between 1999 and 2003, when I exposed the plot of the Presidency which attempted to bribe Honourable Members for the purposes of effecting a leadership change in the House of Representatives.
“As Chairman, House Committee on Anti-Corruption then, I exhibited the money meant for that plot on the floor of the House at plenary.
“Again, in 2012, during the scandal that was referred to as “FAROUKGATE”, my name was mentioned. However, after thorough investigation by the Police and other relevant agencies, I was exonerated and given a clean bill of health,” he said
Jagaba further claimed that he has not changed his 2013 Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV unlike Jibrin.
He continued, “It amazes me, therefore, for Hon. Abdulmumini to petition the EFCC to investigate me for living above my means without giving any proof.
“As a third term member of the House of Representatives, I live in a rented three-bedroom apartment that has no Boys Quarters. Amongst the cars I drive, the most expensive one is a 2013 Toyota RAV4 2.2 litre engine.
“I do not move around with a convoy of expensive cars. If as a third termer and at 56 years of age this is a summary of my life-style as stated above, I have nothing to fear. Can this be said of Hon. Abdulmumini who is less than forty (40) years old and only a second termer? Certainly not.
“Hon. Abdulmumini may claim that he has been into business for a long time. But the question remains, what type of business? Before his election in 2011, he was a lecturer.
“It is a known fact that he was arraigned by the EFCC in 2012 for some shady deals he got involved. It is characters like him who should tremble in fear at the mention of the name of EFCC.
“I hope I should not have cause to pick up my pen on this issue again, as Hon. Abdulmumini may not find it palatable.
“My counsel to him, therefore, is: ‘Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones’”.
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