The Sokoto State Judicial Commission of Inquiry has unravelled about N117 billion allegedly mismanaged by former Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s administration.
The commission’s chairman, Justice Ma’azu Pindiga, disclosed this when he presented its findings to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Tuesday in Sokoto.
Mr Pindiga said the commission had received 31 memoranda from the public, private institutions, and individuals on alleged different infractions between 2015 and 2023.
He said the alleged infractions bordered on disregard for procedures, non-compliance with laws and financial regulations, and abuse of office by officials.
Mr Pindiga added that 241 witnesses had testified before the commission and tendered many exhibits in conformity with the referred terms, adding that all were considered before arriving at the commission’s findings.
He highlighted that the commission had conducted all the sittings diligently in accordance with the lawful provisions and constitutional guidelines and denied any witch hunts or intimidation on any points.
Mr Pindiga explained that the commission commenced its sitting on August 7, 2023, with a series of extensions after the initial two-month period.
According to him, the commission had prepared specific findings for five segments and had proffered results and recommendations accordingly.
In his remarks, Mr Aliyu commended the commission for its diligent work, stressing that it was constituted in response to inherited administrative decay and governance negligence, as well as suspected mismanagement by the immediate past administration.
Mr Aliyu refuted that the effort was to undermine the past government or witch-hunt its activities for any political reasons.
He stressed that the effort was aimed at safeguarding public funds and ensuring transparent dealings, as promised during electioneering.
(NAN)