Former Commissioner for Finance in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki, testified before the Sokoto Commission of Inquiry on Monday regarding the alleged diversion of N16.1 billion from the sale of state shares under the administration of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Dasuki, who now represents the Tambuwal-Kebbe federal constituency in the House of Representatives, stated that he was unaware of the N16.1 billion reportedly generated from the sale of the shares by the Sokoto State Investment Company Limited.
He explained that the company was directly accountable to the Government House and not to his office during his tenure as finance commissioner, which lasted from June 2019 to March 2022.
“I was informed by the managing director of the investment company that the total value of the shares was just over N3 billion,” Dasuki explained.
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He added that based on this information, his office sought and received approval from the governor to raise N2 billion through the investment company to fund state projects, including the legacy project and obligations such as salaries and allowances.
However, the company only deposited N1.5 billion into the accountant general’s account in two instalments-N1 billion initially, followed by N500 million.
“To the best of my knowledge, that is all I am aware of regarding this matter,” Dasuki said.
When asked by the commission’s counsel, Amanze F. Amanze, if he knew that all the shares had been sold, Dasuki replied that he was not aware.
He also stated that he could not recall the exact salary and allowances of workers at that time.
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