I’m Back to Testify Against Hembe, Says Jibrin

Suspended member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Tuesday said that he had returned to the country in order to testify against the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Herman Hembe, who he said was being investigated by one of the anti-graft agencies for alleged corruption.

Hembe is one of the several House committee chairmen Jibrin accused of corruption in his N40bn budget padding allegations against four principal officers of the House.

He did not mention the agency but claimed that he was invited to give additional information, which would lead to the prosecution of Hembe.

Jibrin was reacting to a statement by Hembe to the effect that Jibrin fled the UK because law enforcement agencies were closing in on him, especially the UK National Crime Agency and the Financial Intelligence Unit.

“I understand that the suspended Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has fled back to Nigeria after report of his ownership of five foreign accounts in Barclays Bank and property located at No. 81, Cotswold Gardens, London, NW2, 1PE in London was published…

“Now, having realised that even in the UK, the National Crime Agency and the Financial Intelligence Unit have already profiled him and may soon open a case against him, he quietly sneaked back to Nigeria,” Hembe stated.

But, in his reply, Jibrin said the likes of Hembe were afraid of his presence in the country because they knew he had information on them.

He added, “I returned to the country on the invitation of one of the anti-graft agencies who need additional information from me as they are finalising investigation and ready to arraign Hembe and few others.

“I visited the agency and provided what they required and sign to stand as a witness.”

Jibrin claimed that he travelled freely through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to Heathrow in the UK and came back through the same route without being quizzed.

Jibrin on Tuesday also criticised the National Assembly for failing to approve President Muhammadu Buhari’s $29.96bn loan request.

He said it would be unfair for the same National Assembly to expect the President to perform when it refused or failed to approve the loan request.

Using his Twitter handle, @AbdulAbmJ, Jibrin wrote, “It is unfair for the National Assembly to refuse or delay approval of President Muhammadu Buhari’s loan request, then turn around to blame the government for low budget implementation.”