EFCC challenges Governor for pardoning 5 politicians over N15B fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has challenged the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for pardoning five politicians who are currently defendants in a N15billion fraud charge.

According to a report by The Punch, the anti-graft agency is challenging Governor Tambuwal's power to pardon the politicians that include Alhaji Tukur Alkali, the Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Isa Achida, Commissioner for Home Affair; the Chairman, Governing Board, National Commission for Colleges of Education, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi; the member representing Isa constituency at the House of Assembly, Alhaji Habibu Modachi; and a Permanent Secretary, Isah Bello.

It was reported that all the pardoned officials cum politicians, who are now serving under the current Tambuwal administration, were arraigned in 2009 alongside a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, for an alleged N15bn fraud.

The politicians were said to have also served under Bafarawa between 2002 and 2007.

It was further reported that only those who are currently serving under Tambuwal were pardoned while others, including ex-Gov Bafarawa were left to their fate.

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In the same vein, EFCC took to its Facebook account to announce that it had filed an appeal and would ensure that the five pardoned persons do not escape justice.

The EFCC said, “The EFCC, on September 25, 2017 filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, challenging the judgment delivered by the Sokoto State High in respect of pardon granted by the Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to five accused persons who were charged alongside former governor Attahiru Bafarawa.

“It would be recalled that on June 29, 2017, the Sokoto State High Court presided over by Justice Bello Abbas delivered a judgment discharging five accused persons, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, Bello Isah, Alhaji Isah Sadiq, Alhaji Habibu Modachi and Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi.

“The ruling was sequel to a motion filed by the respondents seeking to be discharged from further criminal proceedings based on a pardon granted to them by the Sokoto State Government.”

Gov Tambuwal's media aides are yet to respond to the allegation levelled against the Sokoto State governor.