Bauchi: Group Raises Alarm Over Allege Arrest of Immediate Past Accountant-General

From Paul Orude Bauchi

A group, Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi (LAWBA), has alleged that the Bauchi State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the immediate past Accountant General, Abubakar Saidu.

The group made the allegation in a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi, on Friday.

Speaking on its behalf, Barrister Bala Hussaini, alleged that the former AG was being detained over on-going investigation of corruption and other crimes.

Hussaini said that the development was raising a lot of concern in the state.

“Before now, a lot of the citizenry in the state are concerned about questions of the integrity and truth about the standing of Bauchi State when it comes to public expenditure, its financial standing and how just or otherwise the state resources are administration are being managed by the incumbent administration.”   Hussaini said.

“When the news broke out about Abubakar Sa’idu’s arrest and detention and so on, many people became interested and hopeful that something that will be of benefit to the state in terms of the fight against corruption will be achieved.

“As lawyers and having taking time to check through the law books and other relevant records, however, we are sounding this warning that unless BASG retrace its steps and listen to the words of wisdom and guidance some of which we are communicating through this medium, the whole thing may end up as anything but not a fight against corruption.

“We wish to state clearly that the action so far taken by BASG on this issue lacks legal basis hence same is dead on arrival as a matter of the law.

“This is the legal implication of the binding and subsisting judgement delivered on the 20th July 2023 by the Federal High Court Bauchi Division Presided by Hon. Justice M. 5. Liman in Suit No: FHC/BA/CS/76/2022

“In other to be taken seriously on this issue, we are calling on Government of Bauchi State to as a matter of urgency refer this case and other similar corruption related cases to the EFCC. ICPC and other duly constituted agencies.

“We note and observe that on the issue of state police, conduct of local government elections and so on, the people have more confidence and trust in Federal Institutions than their state counterparts.

“In the corruption case in focus, this becomes more compelling, sensible and justifiable as the law that created the so-called Bauchi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has been invalidated by the judgment in reference which is still subsisting and in full force same having not been set aside on appeal or halted in any other legal manner”

When contacted on the allegation, the Chairman of the Commission, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sani Baba, said he travelled and was on his way back.