The House of Representatives on Wednesday suspended the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin for 180 legislative days over his budget padding allegations.

Jibrin’s suspension is expected to last for more than a year, as the House seats only three days in a week.

The Ethics Committee Chairman, Mr. Ossai said Jibrin’s failure to appear before his “properly and constitutionally constituted committee” was a defence.

Jibrin had accused Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers of inserting fictitious projects to the 2016 budget to the tune of N40 billion.

He had submitted proof to the EFCC, ICPC as well as the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption led by Prof. Itse Sagay.

A lawmaker from Benue, Emmanuel Orker-Jev had proposed tough sanctions against Jibrin for what he regarded as a breach of House rules.

Azeez