Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Interior, Jagaba
Adams Jagaba (Pictured left), has accused sacked chairman of the House
committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin (right), of living above
his means as a lawmaker and a former lecturer. Jagaba is among the
lawmakers Abdulmumin Jibrin dragged before the antigraft agencies and
police over allegations of budget padding and corruption.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja yesterday August 1st, Jagaba wondered how
Abdulmumin who is a lawmaker and a former lecturer live in “ a posh
personal apartment at the highbrow Maitama District” of Abuja.
“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 said he has continued to use a 2013 Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV unlike Jibrin.
“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”.
