The former Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation has shunned the Nicholas Ossai-led House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The House sent Jibrin’s case to the committee for investigation after a motion by Committee Chairman Rules and Business Emmanuel Orker-Jev.
Orker-Jev accused Jibrin of infractions against the House n and members, saying he brought the Green Chamber into disrepute by his allegations, which Jev claimed were fabricated.
Jibrin expressed his distrust for the committee, saying its chairman and other members, especially Herman Hembe, were interested parties. Hembe exempted himself, and only attended as an observer.
Ossai said he received a letter from Jibrin, which gave conditions for his appearance.
His words: “He ( Jibrin) said: ‘I will appear under the condition that the proceedings will be public, with access given to print and electronic media, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Bar Association, Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Association of Nigerian Students and the public.’
“You can see from day one that this committee has been public. As of last week, we made the committee open to media houses, human rights organisations and others.”
According to him, Jibrin was served the notice of the session on September 22, and it was acknowledged.
“We take it that it was duly served,” he said.
The committee adjourned for 30 minutes to see if Jibrin will change his mind and appear before it.
On resumption, Ossai said Jibrin was given sufficient time to appear and make his case.
He said the committee’s Clerk, Yankuzo Bawale, told him that whenever he called Jibrin, he did not pick, and failed to respond to text messages.
Bawale said he went to Jibrin’s office, and found it locked.
But there was drama yesterday as the committee grilled the management of Channels Television about an interview Jibrin granted it.
“We invited Channels Television and AIT management because of the exhibits tendered, Channels is not on trial. During last week’s session, a member submitted this (CD), and we need to know if Jibrin was on a prograamme on your station,” Osaai said.
A senior manager with Channels, Yemi Ipaye, and a senior reporter, Lanre Lasisi, were put on oath to ascertain the truth.
Ipaiye agreed after watching the footage tendered by Orker-Jev that Channels had a programme called Sunday Politics, and that the programme, anchored by a Seun Okinbaloye, featured Jibrin
The management of African Independent Television (AIT) was absent at the hearing.
The hearing was adjourned sine die while awaiting the appearance of Jibrin but the chairman said the report of the investigation would be presented to the House within one week.
