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ICPC arraigns former Kebbi governor, Dakingari, over alleged N1bn fraud

By Igho Akeregha, Abuja
04 October 2018   |   3:47 am
Immediate past governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari, has been docked before Honourable Justice Ismail Bashir of Kebbi State High Court 2 sitting in Birnin Kebbi by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged misapplication of N1,094,320,000 belonging to the state.

Alhaji Saidu Dakingari

Immediate past governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari, has been docked before Honourable Justice Ismail Bashir of Kebbi State High Court 2 sitting in Birnin Kebbi by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged misapplication of N1,094,320,000 belonging to the state.

The former governor was accused of conniving with the then Commissioner for Finance, Mohammed Tunga, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Garba Kamba, to defraud the state of N349,475,000. The fund was meant for the provision of power generators and “other logistics” for the polling units in the state for the 2015 general elections.

Tunga and Kamba are already facing prosecution by ICPC at the Kebbi High Court.However, immediately after the commencement of proceedings yesterday, the court was informed that Tunga had passed on. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, by way of oral motion, prayed the court to strike out the deceased’s name, which was granted.

Dakingari, who governed Kebbi between 2007 and 2015, was further accused of conspiring with his political associates to misappropriate N430 million meant for logistics support for security agencies during the 2015 polls.He was also charged with siphoning N315 million meant for religious leaders to organise sensitisation programmes against incitement of supporters in all the councils of the state.

ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, disclosed that the commission’s investigation revealed that the monies were shared among Dakingari’s political allies, as no power generators were purchased nor was any religious leader among the beneficiaries of the sensitisation money.

The former governor was therefore arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft, conferring corrupt advantage on political cronies and using position for gratification.

In charge number KB/HC/27C/2017, ICPC’s counsel, Elijah Akaakohol, averred that the defendant’s actions were contrary to and punishable under sections 19 and 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. If found guilty, he shall be liable to five years imprisonment without option of fine.

The ex-governor pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him when they were read out to him.His counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, through a written application, sought the relief of the court to grant his client bail.Bail was granted him in the sum of N10 million and one surety in like sum who must be resident and possess property worth N10 million within the jurisdiction of the court.The case was adjourned till December 4 and 5, 2018.

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