The Presidency has declared that one Gimba Yau Kumo declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over an alleged $65 million fraud is not President Muhammadu Buhari’s son in-law.
The spokesperson of ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, was quoted as saying that Kumo was declared wanted alongside Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola over alleged misappropriation and dispersion of national housing funds.
Kumo, a former Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, was said to have married Fatima, President Buhari’s daughter, in 2016 in Daura, Katsina State.
However, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malla Garba Shehu, the Presidency explained that while at some point in time Kumo had been linked to a family member in marriage, that relationship had ended some years ago.
It said that it was therefore unfortunate to bring the President’s family into his case.
The statement reads in full:
ICPC FUGITIVE IS NOT THE PRESIDENT’S INLAW
A running story to the effect that the ICPC 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 infact 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 ICPC 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 Presidents 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.
