/SHARE THIS / Pix: Gimba Ya’u kumo
The Presidency has disowned the fugitive suspect involved in the whopping $65m fraud, Mallam Gimba Ya’u Kumo, a former Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), whom the media space had been abuzz as a genuine son-in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as no longer being a bonafide son-in-law of the president as his union with Fatima Buhari had since packed up.
Kumo was declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), along with two others : Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola in connection with issues bordering on misappropriation of National Housing Funds and diversion of the sum of Sixty Five Million dollars ($65,000,000).
This was after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had, in April 2021, also summoned Kumo over alleged irregular awards of N3 billion contracts while he led the federal mortgage bank as its Managing Director/CEO.
Declaring Kumo and two others wanted, specifically, in connection with the whopping $65m fraud, Azuka Oguguo, ICPC spokesperson, had said: Anyone who has useful information on their whereabouts should report to ICPC Headquarters, Abuja, any of the ICPC state offices or the nearest police station.” Corruption Trials
But reacting to the issue of Kumo being a bonafide son-in-law of the president, Garba Sheu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, clarified as follows:
“A running story to the effect that the ICPC has declared “an inlaw of the President” wanted in connection with fraud involving the large sum of money , USD65 million to be exact, should normally be an affirmation that our anti-corruption agencies/institutions are truly independent and allowed unfettered freedom by the President. Which, in fact, is the case.
“That a state institution can issue such is a measure of the administration’s commitment to accountability, equality and justice.
“To set the records straight, the person declared wanted by the ICPC is not an inlaw to President Buhari.
“While at some point in time, the said fugitive from justice had been linked to a family member in marriage, that relationship has ended some years ago.
“It is therefore unfortunate to bring the President’s family into this case. It is, in our view, an attempt to generate views and sell copies of sensational reporting.
“The President’s position at all times is that the law be allowed to take its course. As is well known of him, President Muhammadu Buhari will not provide any cover for crime, no matter who is involved.”
– Garba Sheu,
Senior Special Assistant to the President
/SHARE THIS/