The presidency has reacted to the news that Gimba Yau Kumo has been declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in relation to a $65m fraud.
Kumo purportedly married Fatima, the president’s daughter, in 2016 at Daura, Katsina state.
The position of the presidency was made known in a statement in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
It will be recalled that Naija News earlier reported that Kumo was declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged misappropriation of funds under the national housing scheme.
Kumo, a former managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria alongside two others – Mr. Tarry Rufus, and Mr. Bola Ogunsola were declared wanted by the ICPC in a statement published on the ICPC website on Thursday and signed by the spokesperson of the commission, Mrs Azuka C. Ogugua.
But the presidency has now declared that Buhari no longer has a relationship with the wanted person.
It also added that President Buhari is committed to the independent operation of all anti-corruption agencies and won’t stop the law from taking its full course.
The statement read, “A running story to the effect that the EFCC has declared “an inlaw of the President” wanted in connection with fraud involving the large sum of money, USD65 million to be exact.
“This should normally be an affirmation that our anti-corruption agencies/institutions are truly independent and allowed unfettered freedom by the President. Which in fact is the case.
” That a state institution can issue such is a measure of the administration’s commitment to accountability, equality, and justice. To set the records straight, the person declared wanted by the EFCC is not an inlaw to President Buhari. ”
“While at some point in time the said fugitive from justice had been linked to a family member in marriage, that relationship has ended some years ago. It is therefore unfortunate to bring the President’s family into this case. It is in our view, an attempt to generate views and sell copies of sensational reporting.”
“The President’s position at all times is that the law be allowed to take its course. As is well known of him, President Muhammadu Buhari will not provide any cover for crime, no matter who is involved.”
