August 7, 2016
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Femi Falana, said any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress to cover up the budget crisis in the House of Representatives can be dangerous to the nation’s democracy.

Last week the APC leadership held a meeting with former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin and urged him to desist from making any public statement on the issue.

Jibrin had last month accused the House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and other principal officers in the House of altering 2016 budget to favour them and their constituencies. Dogara had since refuted the claim.

Falana told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday that Dogara should be given the benefit of the doubt, adding that the issue of prosecution does not arise at the moment.

“Abdulmumin Jibrin has submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences. Until an investigation into the allegations is concluded the issue of prosecution does not arise. The allegations are grave. Apart from budget padding, there are other allegations of corrupt practices.

“It is however doubtful if the anti-graft agencies will be allowed to inquire into Jibrin’s allegations, since there are dangerous moves to resolve the matter as a family affair by the APC. But unfortunately for the party, the cat has been let out of the bag. A cover-up is no longer possible at this stage,” Falana said.

[b]He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2016 budget believing that it was properly passed by the National Assembly.

“But it has now emerged that 10 legislators led by the Speaker allegedly altered the budget by inserting 2,000 items worth N100bn, otherwise called constituency projects. When it emerged that Jibrin alone allocated N4bn to his constituency the House resolved to remove him. The other members kicked against Jibrin on the ground that 359 members were left to share the remaining N96bn.

“On his own part, Jibrin had alleged that the Speaker and nine others inserted projects worth about N40bn in their own constituencies. If it is established that the alterations were elected after the passing of the budget by both houses, the issue at hand goes beyond padding. A clear case of conspiracy, fraud and forgery can be established against the suspects. Padding takes place when legislators resolve to rewrite the budget by introducing new items outside the estimates prepared and presented to them by the President,” the lawyer said.[/b]

He explained that the controversy over padding of budget was laid to rest with the enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, which allowed the finance minister to source input from certain institutions including the National Assembly during the course of preparing the budget.

“That is when negotiations and horse-trading with the executive by the legislators is allowed. But neither the Act nor the Nigerian Constitution has empowered the National assembly members to rewrite the national budget by including constituency projects whose costs are fixed by the legislators. Under section 81 of the Constitution, the President is given the exclusive power to cause the budget to be prepared,” Falana stated.

http://punchng.com/dont-cover-budget-padding-crisis-falana-tells-apc/

Tell them o...








"Evils

we need more activist to join this man in agitating for law and Order

adebayo10977:
we need more activist to join this man in agitating for law and Order

The man has lost it, he is now padded!

Falana is a complete fool that reeks of double standard.So he can say that the issue of prosecution of the alleged culprits of this most fraudulent"padded" budget in the history of Nigeria is uncalled for? Guess he the same person that said Fayose should be prosecuted with/without immunity? As usual of all APC's asslickers he will just support any illegality just to remain relevant in the eye of this regime. *Spits*

tuniski:

The man has lost it, he is now padded!

That is ehn! The man is a complete idiot.

tuniski:

The man has lost it, he is now padded!

That is ehn! The man is a complete fool.

When it emerged that Jibrin alone allocated N4bn to his constituency the House resolved to remove him. The other members kicked against Jibrin on the ground that 359 members were left to share the remaining N96bn.

Corrupt set of politicians in the NASS, all they know is to share among themselves. Nigerians must ensure that this fraud is not swept under the carpet for any reason. We want justice

Lol... this old man eye don dey open small small...

apc will frustrate the investigation infact they will manipulate and kill it

It's enough shame that Saraki is still the Senate President as we speak.

It's a bigger shame that Dogara and his fellow thieves still remain.

PMB, not everything you need to follow some yeye due process. These idiots need to have been removed one way or the other.

And if they find a way to remain, your corruption fight is scattered kpatakpata! In fact, I will start looking for a replacement for you in 2019.

I've never been more disappointed in any decision taken by the APC than I am their decision to shut Jubrin up.

How is gagging the man any good for the public?? So shameful.

DropShot:
It's enough shame that Saraki is still the Senate President as we speak.

It's a bigger shame that Dogara and his fellow thieves still remain.

PMB, not everything you need to follow some yeye due process. These idiots need to have been removed one way or the other.

And if they find a way to remain, your corruption fight is scattered kpatakpata! In fact, I will start looking for a replacement for you in 2019.

And you think PMB too deserve to stand; where is his certificate?

OKKO:


And you think PMB too deserve to stand; where is his certificate?

Who be this thing? Stay off my moniker!

DropShot:

Who be this thing? Stay off my moniker!

The "Awa Blother" crew member of course. Best ignored.

DropShot:

Who be this thing? Stay off my moniker!

Passingshot, whom do you think you are that you can't be quoted? Pride of course

Paperwhite:
Falana is a complete fool that reeks of double standard.So he can say that the issue of prosecution of the alleged culprits of this most fraudulent"padded" budget in the history of Nigeria is uncalled for? Guess he the same person that said Fayose should be prosecuted with/without immunity? As usual of all APC's asslickers he will just support any illegality just to remain relevant in the eye of this regime. *Spits*

Lord Jesus Christ, I don't even know when to start from. Falana in the news article never said Dogara and anyone else concerned shouldn't be prosecuted. So you couldn't understand and comprehend that simple article!? Did yoeui guys do Writing and Comprehension in secondary school at all? I hope you are not a university students or graduate? That will just be too bad.

Descartes:


Passingshot, whom do you think you are that you can't be quoted? Pride of course

Don't mind them, they expect to wail freely after deceiving Nigerians..

Descartes:


Passingshot, whom do you think you are that you can't be quoted? Pride of course

On the contrary, I like being quoted by people who make logical arguments and sensible submissions. Not quoting to be noticed.

I think nigeria is fanatically corrupt..even if falana is in national assembly he will still pad..
Oshiomole was heading NLC fighting OBJ but what is happening in edo state now?

The most annoying part of this padding saga is when Dagora said padding is not an offence in the Nigerian constitution. Imagine if some steals a diamond ring and now claiming stealing diamond is not written in our constitution while stealing is an offence. Bunch of corrupt swines . Time will tell! !!