SAN FRANCISCO, September 14, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Ibrahim Shema, the immediate past governor of Katsina state, wanted for allegedly embezzling state funds to the tune of N74.6billion.
Wilson Uwujaren, Spokesman of the commission, disclosed this in a statement saying Shema had ignored several invitations by the commission since December 1, 2015 when he was first summoned by the agency.
“The public is hereby notified that Ibrahim Shema, a former Governor of Katsina state, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, inflation of contract, abuse of office, diversion of funds, and embezzlement running into billions of naira,” the statement read.
“The former Governor ignored several invitations by the commission since December 1, 2015 when he was first summoned by the agency.
“All efforts to locate him at his known address in Abuja and Katsina were futile. The 59-year-old hails from Dutse-enma local government area of Katsina state.
“Anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the commission or report to the nearest police station.”
The Katsina State government had petitioned the anti-graft commission, alleging mismanagement of about N74 billion by the Shema administration which includes alleged diversion of N18.6 billion in 2012 and over N56 billion in the remaining years of his tenure.
THEWILL gathered that the ex-governor failed thrice to honour the EFCC’s invitation for questioning on how he spent the funds.
On December 1, 2015, he sent his lawyer, Aliyu Ahmed, from the chamber of Aliyu Ahmed and Associates to ask for a date in the middle of February 2016; on the 23rd of May 2016 he did not respond and on the 19th of June, 2016 he replied that he was dialoguing with the governor of the state on the allegations against him.
Shema is married to one of the daughters of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and was elected Governor in 2007 spending a total of 8 years.
He has denied the allegations of corruption levelled against him, accusing Bello Masari, his successor, of witch-hunting him.
Story by David Oputah
