Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin says he would only attend the hearing of the Ethics committee of the House of Representatives if it is made public.

The lawmaker representing Kiru-Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano state made this known in a statement he released on Wednesday.

The statement read in part, “I attended the sitting of the House today and carefully observed the proceedings concerning the allegations of budget fraud and corruption I leveled against Speaker Dogara and 3 other Principal Officers.

“In a move that smacks of abuse of process, Speaker Dogara granted under point of order, an opportunity to the Chairman of Business and Rules Committee who started with a speech then suddenly transited to a motion under privilege – a clear case of manipulation and gross abuse of the House rule. This is the easiest resort since the attempts to secure a vote of confidence had woefully failed.

The grand plan is to dilute the ongoing external investigation by the police and EFCC and use the Ethics Committee for a soft landing.”

He accused Dogara of manipulating and teleguiding the process by limiting the probe to the Ethics committee.

The statement further said, “Despite all these and since I can substantiate the allegations I raised with cogency, I will take up the opportunity provided by the Ethics committee to state my case under the condition that the hearing will be public and will allow the Press, CSOs, NGOs, NLC, ASUU, NANS, NBA and the general public to witness the entire proceedings.

“This is the only way that I can have the comfort and confidence that the proceedings, the investigations and the outcome will not be manipulated or compromised. I am ready to appear before the committee even today if the proceedings will be public,” he said.

He also accused Dogara of trying to drag the entire house into the budget padding allegations which according to him was committed by a minority.

He assured Nigerians that the he would see the struggle to the end.

Oludolapo Adelana

Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.