Shock as Varsity Lecturer Docked by EFCC for Fraud makes Gov. Zulum Commissioner nominees
By: Zagazola Makama
Borno Governor, Prof Babagana Umara @ProfZulum forwarded the list of his Commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening. Among the 18 nominees is a university lecturer, one Ibrahim Yusuf Ngoshe who was arrainged by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for criminal misappropriation of N24,000,000 (Twenty Four Million Naira) couple of months ago.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Governor Zulum requested the House to confirm the Commissioner nominees in pursuant to the provision of Section 192 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Though the screening and subsequent confirmation of the nominees are yet to commence, the list sent shivers down the spine of many people who were shocked to see Dr Ibrahim Yusuf Ngoshe as the number 13th on the list.
According to some of those who spoke to Zagazola Media Network, it is totally incomprehensible that Gov Zulum will knowingly include in his list of Commissioner nominees, a fellow who is still standing trial with the EFCC for the charge of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of N24m and whose mugshots are all over the internet as a suspected criminal.
The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC had on Friday, March 31, 2023 arrainged Mr Ngoshe before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on one-count charge of criminal misappropriation to the tune of N24m.
He was remanded in prison custody until May 4, 2023 when his trial commenced. Sources said the trial is yet to be decided even though he was able to secure a bail from detention.
Since the list of Commissioner nominees was made public, Mr Ngoshe's inclusion has dominated discussion as most residents in the state are unable to come to terms with what informed such a decision by Gov Zulum.
Those who spoke to Zagazola Media Network expressed their misgivings that a man with such corruption baggage could make the list of Zulum's Commissioner nominees.
"Does it mean that the Governor didn't carry out due diligence in selecting those he wants to work with?,"he said.
It is yet to be seen what the Governor's reaction to the criticism of his choice will be. Some are of the view that the governor may probably not be aware of the gentleman's recent history or might not even know him at all.
However, the Borno State House of Assembly is expected to do a thorough background check of all the nominees, and those with corruption baggage or any trace of questionable character will be weeded out.
Reacting, The Governor’s spokesman Malam @Isa_Gusau2023 in a statement issued on Saturday, through his twitter handle said that Mr Ngoshe's nomination has been withdrawn from the list of commissioner nominees.
Gusau said tGovernor Babagana Umara Zulum had on Friday evening, written to the Borno State House of Assembly, withdrawn the name of Dr. Ibrahim Yusuf Ngoshe as commissioner nominee.
He explained that by this, the number of commissioner nominees is down from 18 to 17, noting that further details will be provided should the need arise.
