Budget Padding Scandal: Dogara talks tough, threatens Jibrin

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday gave seven-day notice to a former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, to retract and apologise for his recent public pronouncements against him.

Mr. Dogara said Mr. Jibrin’s publication of a series of “libellous” materials in the media was done in “bad faith” and had caused “disaffection” between Nigerians and the House.

In the letter, which was written and dispatched on behalf of Mr. Dogara by his lawyers, Messrs. Professor Joash Amupitan and Co., the Speaker said Mr. Jibrin’s failure to comply with his request would have grave legal consequences.

“Take notice that in the event of your failure/refusal to comply with the above-mentioned demands within seven (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law.”

Copies of the letter were sent to PREMIUM TIMES by Mr. Dogara’s spokesman, Turaki Hassan.

Mr. Dogara’s attorney said the Speaker had been subjected to “public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule” following Mr. Jibrin’s allegations, which were widely circulated in the media.

“Consequently, we consider your publication on the matter as not only libellous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta owing to your recent removal as the Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation,” the letter, signed by Joash Amupitan, a principal partner in the firm, said.

Mr. Jibrin had been circulating allegations of budget padding, incompetence and breach of trust against Mr. Dogara since he was removed as chair of the appropriation committee a week ago.

Mr. Jibrin’s lawyers also wrote to Mr. Dogara on July 22, warning the Speaker to desist from victimising their client.