By Najib Sani
The Bauchi state funds and assets recovery committee has alleged that the immediate past governor of the state Mohammed Abubakar auctioned a house belonging to the government and several cars to himself at ‘ very a subsidized price’ to himself while he was governor.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the committe Umar Barau Ningi flanked by his deputy Musa Azare and other committe members made the allegation yesterday in Bauchi while addressing journalists.
Ningi said the committee discovered that the former governor allegedly sold to himself seven posh vehicles belonging to Bauchi state government in violation of provisions of ‘ Budget Monitoring, Price Intelligence and Public Procurement Law’ (BMPIPP) 2008′ for the disposal of government assets and properties.
He alleged that Abubakar auctioned the cars to himself at ‘ meagre amounts’ ranging from N1 million, N2.1 million, N2.8 million, N2.9 million and N7.8 million claiming that the cars were initially purchased by the government at exorbitant prices.
He said the vehicles include land cruiser armoured Jeep, Land cruiser V8, two Toyota Hilux and three range rover jeeps.
The committe also alleged that the ex governor in violation of his oath of office allegedly initiated a transaction and sold to himself a house with certificate of occupancy number ‘BA/40245’ located adjacent to Wikki Hotel belonging to Bauchi state government at a highly subsidized rate.
” This according to him is also, in gross violation of the Bauchi state budget monitoring, price intelligence and public procurement law for the disposal of government assets and or properties.
” Above all, the disposing entity, Bauchi Geographic Information Service (BAGIS) is not backed by any law, as the bill that established the agency in 2017 is yet to be signed into law.
” It follows therefore that whatever business the Agency transacted, and with whomsoever, individuals or organizations, is illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.
The committe considers as morally reprehensible for a sitting governor to apply for the purchase of a government property and approved same for himself, placing his individual interest above public interest”. He decried.
