Abdulmumin Writes Buhari on Allegations against Dogara, Others

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari seeking his intervention to ensure that the investigation and prosecution of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and others whom he accused of corruption, budgetary fraud and abuse of office.

Abdulmumin, in the letter which he made available to THISDAY, alleged that some powerful forces , whose identity he did not disclose, were working with some principal officers of the House to deny him access to the President.

He added that his letter to the President on the matter, which he wrote a few weeks ago is yet to receive any response.

Abdulmumin, following his sack in July 2016 as Chairman of Appropriation committee for alleged abuse of the budgetary process, has launched a tirade of allegations against Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, Chief Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor. He petitioned anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and also petitioned security agencies, claiming there are threats to assassinate or kidnap him.

He was suspended in September by the House for 180 legislative sitting days after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges would him guilty of misconduct and abuse of privileges of members of the House of Representatives.

The suspended lawmaker who disclosed earlier this week that he had fled the country to London, said Buhari must ensure reforms were implemented in the House, else the anti-corruption crusade would be incomplete.

The letter reads in part:

“You should by now know that you will never get the required support to fight corruption with Dogara as Speaker of the House and most importantly if reforms are not implemented in the House,” he said in the letter.

“Sir, I should also bring to your notice that the Speaker is making frantic efforts to ensure that this matter is suppressed. They will do all they can, including blackmailing you to ensure that the matter is not investigated and culprits prosecuted. In your case, since they cannot find issues of corruption associated with you, they will resort to frustrating any request you forward to the House for approval with a view to arm twisting you or trying to weaken you in the eyes of the public and international community. This is how they operate. You should watch out and be vigilant.”

“I pray that you direct the various agencies that I submitted petitions to expedite action on the matter as Nigerians and the world are watching to see how we will deal with this issue of incontrovertible corruption by Speaker Dogara and others and systemic corruption in the House.

We have a golden opportunity to show the world that there is zero tolerance for corruption under your leadership