Budget Padding: SSS Operatives Seal Off House Appropriation Committee Secretariat

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Saturday, July 30th, 2016

By Seun Adebosin

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The House of Representatives alleged budget padding raging controversy Saturday took another serious dimension as officials of the State Security Services (SSS) have sealed off the secretariat of the Appropriation Committee.

Also, office of the former House Committee’s Chairman Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdul Mumin has also been sealed.

SSS operatives’ action has been linked to the allegation made by Jibrin in a statement that the Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara has directed the removal of systems from the Appropriation Committee secretariat in the old House building.

It would be recalled Jibrin after being sacked about two weeks ago, started opening can of worms since last week, alleging padding and manipulation of figures while the 2016 Appropriation Bill was still being worked upon by his committee.

The embattled Appropriation Committee Chairman accused the trio of Dogara, his Deputy, Yusuf Lasun and Leo Ogor of smuggling constituency projects running to N40 billion without the knowledge of the committee members.

Dogara, and others who were accused in the scandal have differently defended themselves, countering that Jibrin was dishonest; incompetent and mischievous.

Already, disgraced Dogara this week through his lawyers issued seven-day ultimatum to his former ally, demanding for retraction of all allegations leveled against him (Dogara), failure of which he threatened to sue Jibrin to court for libel.