Attahiru bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto state
Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto state, on Friday, November 20, reacted to the recent raid on his resident by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS).
Reports had emanated that the raid in the home of ex-governor was an attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest Bafarawa following his association with the former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.
Confirming the report in a statement by Bafarawa’s spokesman, Yusuf Dingyadi, the former governor described the siege as “political intimidation and persecution” because of his political choice and association, Premium Times reports.
According to Bafarawa, those responsible for protecting the citizens have now become tool of destruction and abuse of rule of law.
He noted that the Nigerian security should secure the lives of citizens and not to harass.
Bafarawa alleged that the raid on his residence is due to his association with Dasuki adding that he would not abandon the former NSA.
The ex-governor also said he suffered a similar trial when he supported President Muhammadu Buhari in 2007, adding that he was once bundled out of a meeting in Abuja and taken to a prison in Sokoto state.
After over eight years of standing trial at Sokoto High Court over alleged corrupt practices, the EFCC is still yet to establish a case against Bafarawa but according to the ex-governor, he would be ready to appear before the EFCC at any time the commission summons him.
Nigeria’s former National Security Advisor Mohammed Sambo Dasuki
Bafarawa, who left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, is currently in the United States on vacation. Bafarawa and 15 others, mostly his aides, have been facing trial since they left office in 2007 for alleged misappropriation of public funds totalling N15 billion, contrary to Section 15 (2)(d) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
The former governor, who is a political associate of the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, had accompanied the former NSA to court to answer charges of unlawful possession of firearms and alleged retention of funds.
President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the arrest of Dasuki on Wednesday, November 18 over purchase of arms made during his tenure as a former NSA.
However, Dasuki in an official statement which listed details of purchases made said all he did was in the interest of the nation. He also said he is not scared facing the charges against him.
No comments:
Post a Comment