EFCC Arrests Former Jigawa Governor over N36bn Fraud

Wed, Jul 5, 2017 | By publisher

Crime

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested Saminu Turaki, former Jigawa State Governor, for allegedly mismanaging N36 billion from the state coffers while in office.

Turaki was arrested at the venue of the public presentation of a book on Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, the first regular combatant officer in the Nigerian Army, in Abuja.

The arrest of the former governor was seen by EFCC as a breakthrough on a man they had declared wanted since December 3, 2014, for failing to present himself for trial since 2011 on a 36-count charge before the Federal High Court, Dutse.

The court, according to the agency, had issued a warrant directing the Inspector General of Police or his officers, and EFCC to arrest Turaki and bring him before it to answer to his alleged offences, but he could not be arrested at the time.

Justice S. Yahuza gave the order after Turaki had consistently failed to attend trial, while several attempts to execute the warrant on the former governor also failed as he reportedly remained elusive.

On May 19, 2016, when the operatives of the commission, acting on a tip-off, stormed Turaki’s home on 16 Denis Osadebey Street, Asokoro, he managed to slip off their hands.

Three years ago, Wilson Uwajaren, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, had, over three years ago, said: “The public is hereby notified that Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, the former governor of Jigawa State, is wanted by EFCC in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, money laundering and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N36 billion.”

Turaki, who was a Senator between 2007 and 2011, “has continuously evaded appearance in court,” the anti-corruption agency added. – Vanguard

-July 5, 2017 @ 4:31 GMT /