Abdulmumin: I Did Not Flee Nigeria
Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, has said he did not flee from Nigeria for fear of arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued yesterday, Abdulmumin said the travelled to London to receive an anti-corruption award.
Abdulmumin, following his removal as Chairman of Appropriation Committee, had accused the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara and some principal officers of corruption, fraud and abuse of the 2016 budgetary process.
The lawmaker who was suspended by his colleagues for 180 legislative sitting days for misconduct and abuse of privileges, said the reports that he fled Nigeria were orchestrated by corrupt House members who are aggrieved by his allegations against them.
“The fact of the matter is that I travelled out of the country freely like every responsible citizen and through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja on November 4, 2016,” he said in the statement.
He added that his trip is also related to series of lectures where he would deliver papers on corruption in the Nigerian legislature and the reforms that must be implemented in the House of Representatives.
“I have stated repeatedly that I have engaged the security and anti corruption agencies severally over the petitions I submitted and provided them with evidential documents and vital clues and we have constantly kept in tough. I have also pledged to stand as witness against the Speaker and others. I have nothing to fear. If for any reason my attention is needed, I will make myself available,” he added.
Abdulmumin reiterated his statement that his life was being threatened.
“It is against this background that I took the decision to stay away from the country until my safety is guaranteed. However ever, I will be available once my attention is required in respect of my petition against the Speaker and others or any petition that may come against me,” he added.
