The Presidency has set the record straight concerning a running story to the effect that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, had declared “an inlaw of the President” wanted in connection with fraud to the tune of USD65m.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, clearing the air, said the fugitive is not a relative of President Muhammadu Buhari.
TheFact Nigeria, had, yesterday, 13 May, reported a publication from the anti-graft agency, signed by its spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, declaring Gimba Yau Kumo wanted for alleged misapropriation and dispersion of national housing funds.
Kumo, an erstwhile Managing Director, MD, of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, had married Fatima, the President’s daughter sometime in 2016.
Shehu said that while the declaration of Kumo as a fugitive by the ICPC is ”an affirmation that our anti-corruption agencies and institutions are truly independent and allowed unfettered freedom by the President, which also is a measure of the administration’s commitment to accountability, equality and justice, the person declared wanted by the ICPC is not an inlaw to President Buhari”.
He further stared that while at some point in time the said fugitive from justice had been linked to a family member in marriage, that relationship had 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”, he said.
Shehu also stated the President’s position at all times, which 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”, Shehu said.
