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Bauchi unravels N212.2b fraud by Yuguda administration

Gov. Abubakar receiving the report from the Committee Chairman, Alhaji Salihu Lukman Abubakar

*To recover N66.56b from contractors, others

*To invite EFCC, ICPC to probe Yuguda administration

The High Powered Committee set up by the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar to investigate all major contracts awarded in the state between 2007 and 2015 has indicted the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda of N212.2 billion fraud.

The committee said the money could not be properly accounted for by past administration and recommended that N66.56 billion should be recovered from various contractors, consultants, government officials and banks.

The committee, under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Salihu Lukman Abubakar, submitted its report to Governor Abubakar at the weekend in which several irregularities were uncovered.

In its report, various irregularities were discovered in the award and execution of contracts, payment of contractors, loans obtained and other financial improprieties. There were also cases of negligence, corruption, and connivance to defraud the state by government officials who served in the period under review.

The committee also recommended that N66.56 billion should be recovered from various contractors, consultants, government officials and banks and that the total sum that was not properly accounted for was placed at N212.2 billion.

The committee reviewed contracts which spanned from 2007-2015, awarded by major ministries and parastatals, including the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Ministry of Education, and other MDAs in the state.

Some of the contracts reviewed included, the Bauchi International Airport Contract, new General Hospital, Toro, GGSS student’s hostel, construction of various road projects, among others. The committee also beamed the light on expenditures, loans, bonds, security votes, remittances and other financial transactions made during the period.

Responding, Governor Abubakar thanked the committee for doing a thorough job and wondered why the trust of the people would be squandered by those elected to improve their lives.

He stated that this was not a witch-hunt but that every kobo belonging to the state, which was fritted away, would be pursued with a view of recovering it.

The governor also mandated the Commissioner for Justice to liaise with the Attorney General of the Federation so that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC would be involved to recover these monies.

Abubakar also instituted a white paper committee to look into the report, and advice government on the next steps to take.
The white paper committee was given three weeks to submit its report.

-Kazeem Ugbodaga

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