EFCC grills Jibrin, to invite Dogara

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday grilled Jibrin as part of investigation into the budget padding allegations.

It was learnt that Jibrin spent over five hours at the EFCC office, explaining to investigators how the 2016 budget was allegedly padded by Dogara; the Deputy Speaker, Yusuff Lasun; the Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, and nine others.

An EFCC operative, who confirmed Jibrin’s visit, said, “Jibrin came to our office to honour an invitation. His petition was voluminous and we needed clarification. He submitted more documents before leaving. We told him that we could call him again at any time.

“Based on the allegations and documents he submitted, we will invite other lawmakers, especially Dogara, and members of the appropriations committee.”

Meanwhile, Jibrin in a statement on Tuesday, repeated his allegations against Dogara and other officers, saying he stood by his demand for their probe.

The statement read in part, “…Now that I have exposed the fact that Speaker Dogara and the three others have padded the budget, padding is no longer an offence. Shame!

“There is massive individual and institutional corruption in the House of Representatives. All Nigerians have a responsibility to avail themselves of this rare opportunity to flush out corruption in the House.’’

Meanwhile, the secretariat of the House Committee on Appropriation, which was shut 10 days ago by the Department of State Services, remained closed on Tuesday.