Sokoto Probe Panel Ready To Summon Tambuwal, Others

Sokoto State Commission of Inquiry on the disposal, and donation of government assets and other paraphernalia may invite the former governor of the state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to testify, if the situation or condition warrants.

The commission chairman, retired former Chief Judge, Justice Mu’azu Abdulkadir Pindiga, stated this while answering a question on whether the Commission has the prerogative powers to invite the former Governor on matters presented before them.

Justice Pindiga said, “The commission will invite any citizen of the state to make testimony providing there is a memorandum or complaint written against him and brought before it.

“We have the authority and powers to arrest and detain anybody who tries to undermine the powers of the commission based on the law of the state and the 1999 constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“We will equally deal decisively with anyone who chooses to give false information to the commission.”

According to him, the commission will be fair and just to all matters before it, as it will not be used as a yardstick to witch-hunt anybody, but the law will take its cause on anyone found wanting during its assignment.

“You may also recall that upon our inauguration we were given a period of two months from the date of our first sitting within which to carry out our assignment and to submit our report to the Government.

“We have since our inauguration commenced activities towards the execution of our mandate by taking steps as would ensure a seamless, diligent, and fair execution of our responsibility”.

The terms of reference under which the commission will operate are, to examine the Sales and Auctions of Government Assets including; All official vehicles of State and Local Governments, all Plants and Machineries of State and Local Governments, donations and gifts of Government Assets, to ascertain the government bank account and amount realized from the sales and auctions of government assets and examine the various allocations of lands throughout the state.

Others are plots of land allocated to individuals and bodies of persons whether corporate or unincorporated in the Sokoto new city, all carved-out plots, and all government houses sold or auctioned, to ascertain the government bank account and the amount realized from the sales and auctions of government houses and to do any other thing that is deemed relevant and necessary for the discharge of commissions assignment.