The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a wanted former Governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki at the launch of a book at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The book, titled: ‘The First Regular Combatant: Brigadier General Zakariya Maimalari,’ was authored by Haruna Paloma.
The book launch was attended by among others, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; the National Security Adviser (MSA), General Babagana Moguno; the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Buratai and others.
Saminu Turaki is standing trial for allegedly stealing N36 billion when he was governor of the state from 1999 to 2007. He had also been accused in court of using N12 billion out of the N36 billion to fund former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s failed third term bid in 2006.
Last year, operatives of the EFCC went to his house in a bid to execute an arrest warrant for the former governor who had failed to present himself for trial since 2011 when he was arraigned on 36 counts at the Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The court had issued a warrant directing the Inspector General of Police or his officers and the EFCC to arrest Turaki and bring him before the court.
Justice S. Yahuza gave the order after Turaki failed to appear before the court even as the EFCC declared him wanted.
The former governor, who also served as Senator from 2007 to 2011, was said to have continued to evade arrest. He was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on 32 counts of misappropriating N36bn while he was governor. The case was later transferred to Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT court. [myad]
