The immediate past governor of Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar has dismissed report of a probe panel on his stewardship at the instance of the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed as an exercise aimed at discrediting him.
The 21-man panel of inquiry set up by the Bauchi State governor to investigate two previous governors, Isa Yuguda and Mohammed Abubakar indicted them of “gross mismanagement and fraud.”
The panel led by Senator Isa Misau disclosed at a media briefing last month, after its three-month findings, alleging that Abubakar sold seven exotic vehicles to himself, while his aides carted away about 30 official cars.
The panel also alleged that Abubakar sold a house to himself with Certificate of Occupancy number BA/40245 adjacent Wikki Hotel, belonging to the state government at a highly subsidised rate.
Umar said between October 2016 and May 2018, about N1.4b was stolen, while unremitted taxes amounting to over N705m was stolen from the state’s treasury between 2017 and 2018.
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But addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, former Commissioner, Ministry of Housing, Umar Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the former governor and his erstwhile aides faulted the report.
In a statement titled, “The Many Lies Against MA Abubakar”, which he read to journalists, Mohammed maintained that the probe lacked fair hearing as he noted that the Senator Misau panel never bothered to hear from the former governor.
He said:” Those conversant with the political development of Bauchi state are aware that the ‘committee’ itself was peopled by certified political foes of the former governor, with rancid reputations.
“The chairman, Senator Isa Hamma Misau, is currently battling with sundry charges of corruption, self-enrichment and abuse of office levelled against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) when he held sway as Senator representing Bauchi central between 2015 to 2019.
” This alone puts a dent and a big question mark on his integrity and that of the committee to discharge the responsibilities without witch-hunt. The Leadership of the committee is reflective of the Leadership of the current state government.”
The ex aides further argued that “other allegations raised by the committee are either fabrications or exaggerations to soil the reputation of the former governor and gain cheap popularity. All contracts awarded by the government under Abubakar’s watch were done by the book. The road constructions, rehabilitation and supplies were subjected to rigorous due process.
“Similarly, other allegations raised by the Committee are either fabrications or exaggerations to soil the reputation of the former governor and gain cheap popularity. All Contracts awarded by the government under Abubakar’s watch were done by the book. The Road Constructions, Rehabilitations and Supplies were subjected to rigorous due process. However, downward receipts from the Federation Account throughout the four (4) years period, slowed the pace of these projects, all of which are at various stages of work but not abandoned as alleged by the Committee.”