The ordeal of the immediate past governor of Bauchi state, Mohammed Abubakar, has continued as three fresh petitions have been filed against him by the Bauchi State Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice (BACAFCI).
The petitions have been filed to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud, financial misappropriation and abuse of office.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman of BACAFCI, Bibi Dogo, the coalition is asking the two anti-graft agencies investigate the matter, adding that it has already filed a petition concerning financial scams in the procurement of fertilizer where over two billion naira was siphoned.
“We have filed a petition before the EFCC for a suspected fraudulent payment of N5.2 billion. We have also filed another petition in the name of purchase of fake shares for the 20 local government areas of the state to the tune of N250 million. we uncovered another fraudulent payment of N1.6 million via a cheque to the ministry of finance to a company known as Mauritz Walton.
“There was a report of a suspicious scam between former Governor Abubakar and Agro-allied Company Limited in the name of purchase of shares for the 20 LGAs at the cost of 250 million naira and fake certificates was issued to the councils on 31/10/2018,” the statement read.
The Chairman who is a member of the State Asset and Recovery Committee said that the then ministry for local government signed the agreement between the company and the councils but the State Auditor General for Local Government and the asset and recovery committee under the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed succeeded in recovering the sum of N246 million.
He said the committee invited the management of the company, Messrs Holyphant and agro-allied Company Limited and reached an agreement that they will pay the money but that no money has been paid till date.
Dogo alleged that Ex-Governor Abubakar directed the payment of over N5 billion for 15% Paris club refunds to Mauritz Walton, but on 21/12/2016, the sum of N1.6 billion was again paid to the company without following due process.
Meanwhile, the EFCC and ICPC confirmed that they have received the petitions on 3rd and 7th July 2020 and they are studying the petitions for necessary action.
In a swift reaction, a close aide to the former governor who did not want his name mentioned said that all the allegations were a political witchhunt against former governor Mohammed Abubakar, adding that the governor has served the State with patriotism and commitment and has not committed any offence while in office.
He said his Boss is always ready and available to answer any allegations made against him.
