Ted Odogwu, Kano
Former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s political associate and ex-Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf, was on Wednesday detained by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission over his alleged involvement in $650,000 foreign scholarship scam.
Yusuf, who was accused of conspiring with other stakeholders entrusted to manage the foreign scholarship scheme, initiated by Kwankwaso for indigenes of the state studying health-related courses abroad, was alleged to have siphoned millions of naira.
The former commissioner, who arrived at the anti-graft office at about 11am on Tuesday, clad in a white ‘agbada’ with a red cap alongside two lawyers waited, for about one hour at the commission’s reception before he was ushered in for interrogation.
However, Yusuf, in an earlier press statement he issued, said he first learnt of the commission’s invitation to appear before it in the media before receiving an invitation to appear at the commission’s office, a development he considered as an unprofessional conduct.
Although, the former commissioner declared his readiness to honour the invitation he, however, denied any involvement in the scam, just as he insinuated that the anti-graft action was politically motivated
Speaking with newsmen, Yusuf’s lawyer, Mr. Isa Sheik, who denied the allegation against his client, however, described the action as an attempt to ridicule Yusuf.
He said, “We were here to honour the invitation of the commission regarding the allegation of corruption but I and the team of other lawyers were surprised by the action of the commission. We were denied access to be with our client during interrogation and you know the implication.
“This is unconstitutional and against the fundamental human rights of our client,” Isa lamented.
However, efforts to speak to the Chairman of the commission, Rimin Gado, were not successful as his security officials insisted he was busy with investigation.
A reliable source, who pleaded anonymity, said the commissioner would not only be detained but would also be charged to court.
It will be recalled that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had earlier accused Kwankwaso of misappropriation of funds allocated for the foreign scholarship scheme, saying it had been discovered that the immediate past administration had failed to settle the tuition fees and allowances of the students abroad.
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