The former Accountant General of Sokoto State, Aminu Abdullah, has disputed claims made by former Governor Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa that he left N13 billion in government coffers when he exited office in 2007.
At a press conference on Thursday, Abdullah described Bafarawa’s assertion as “Baseless and unfounded.” He clarified that the state did not inherit even N300 million from the former governor.
“I am here to address the remarks made by Bafarawa during the donation of a one billion naira endowment fund at his residence yesterday. He claimed that he left behind a whopping sum of N13 billion when he handed over. This claim is completely false,” Abdullah stated.
He explained that the controversy over the funds led the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter. According to Abdullah, government funds were managed through commercial banks and during Bafarawa’s administration, the consolidated revenue fund accounts were held at the United Bank for Africa.
He provided specific account details, stating, “As of May 29, 2007, the VAT account had only seven million naira, while the main account contained just N259 million. When you combine all 27 accounts operated during his administration, they do not come close to the N13 billion claimed.”
Abdullah emphasised that there was no record of the N13 billion in the handover notes, and all bank statements submitted to the EFCC corroborated his claims.
In response to Abdullah’s statements, Bafarawa, during his recent donation event, reiterated his commitment to prudent resource management during his time as governor and highlighted achievements in infrastructure development, asserting that he indeed left behind N13 billion for the state.
(Daily Trust)
