A Kaduna-based group, Forum for Good Governance (FFGG), has thrown its weight behind the arrest of Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, the former Commissioner of Finance and Local Government under the administration of Nasir El-Rufa’i.
Sa’idu was arrested over allegations of money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.
In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, the FFGG said there was nothing wrong with Sa’idu’s arrest, especially given the gravity of the allegations against him.
The group warned against any attempt by El-Rufa’i to interfere with the process, stating that such interference must be resisted vehemently.
According to the FFGG, the allegations against Sa’idu are too serious to be ignored.
The group also noted that the recovery of looted funds is necessary, especially given Kaduna state’s high debt.
It said, “We gathered from reports that the Kaduna State House of Assembly previously investigated Sa’idu’s financial dealings and forwarded its findings to anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC.”
“We insist that Bashir’s arrest must not be politicised because we all know that once an agency arrests an individual for looting of public funds or financial crime, it is in order.”
“Allegations such as misappropriation of funds, sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar, instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government, are too serious to be swept under the carpet.”
“We are happy that the police confirmed his arrest was not politically motivated but followed by credible allegations of financial crimes and will remain in detention as investigations continue.”