ASHENEWS reports that a former Minister of Transportation, and Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign organization in the 2023 general elections, Yusuf Suleiman has advised the Sokoto Judicial Commission of Inquiry, to avoid being used for political vendetta.
The Commission, which was constituted by Governor Ahmed Aliyu to probe Aminu Tambuwal’government, had issued a last warning for the former Minister, and the former Deputy Governor, Maniru Dan’iya to appear before it on the next adjourned May 22 date.
During the last Panel sitting, the Commission chairman, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, had granted leave for Sokoto government, to serve court papers on Suleiman and Dan Iya through substituted means, by pasted the panel’s summons on the fences of their residences.
However, when Suleiman and Dan Iya appeared as witnesses on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, no member of the Commission was present at the Cabinet Office, venue of the Commission’s sitting.
Reacting to members’ absence without notice to them in that regard, while speaking with newsmen, Suleiman said “It is unfortunate that we are here and they are not. I just spoke to the Secretary and he told me that the chairman was not able to return to Sokoto.”
ALSO READ The Environmental Impact of RAILBUS systems in Nigeria
According to him, “the way and manner in which every invitation was sent to us was unfortunate.
“I was in Abuja when someone from my house called to inform me that a team of heavily armed security personnel came to paste the court sermon on my house wall and gate; that we are being summoned to appear here today at 11 am. Now, here we are but have refused to be here.
“This is very sad. They should know that we don’t live here. Because of the respect I have for the Judicial commission, though there was no flight to Sokoto yesterday, I took a flight to Birnin Kebbi from where I drove for almost two hours to Sokoto.
“I came here to honour the Commission’s invitation that was pasted on the wall of my house, but sadly, we are here and they are not here.
“The members of the Commission should not allow themselves to be used for political vendetta. Why wouldn’t they paste on our houses walls that they have adjourned today’s sitting?
“I mean, look at me. I served this country as a member of the Federal Executive Council. This is the former number two man in the state. You can’t invite people like this and on the day of the appearance, nobody is here to be found. I don’t think this is right,” Suleiman said.
He added that he was not informed about any adjournment. “No body told me that they won’t be here. Otherwise, why would I be here if I was told they won’t sit? Nobody told me that ther will not be sitting, why would I depart Abuja yesterday to Birnin Kebbi if I were told they would not sit?”
The former Minister said he had a trip to London. “I am supposed to be out of the country today. The people I am supposed to travel with are already waiting for me in London.
“Therefore, I will not be around for now. I told the Secretary of the Commission that I will be travelling out of the country. We are suppose to travel and all my colleagues and partners are already in London, waiting for me.
“So, I will leave. But with the economic crisis in this country, I think I should utilize my money for better things than be shutting between Abuja and Sokoto for no just cause.
On this message to the commission
“The members of the Commission should know that they are people of integrity. They must not allow their integrity to be tarnished by this assignment. I served my country as minister. I have never been summoned, even for a second, to explain anything.
“It is very sad that my state is summoning me based on hearsay. About a gift of a Prado jeep, I think the state governor should be in a better position to explain to them what happened in 2019.
“I was the Director General of his campaign when he came to my house and gave me two vehicles – a land cruiser and Prado jeep but I declined by telling him that I have enough vehicles in my house. So, why would he think I will come and take Prado from anyone?” Suleiman said.
