Turaki still at large, says EFCC

[TGD]

 MORE than 72 hours after his arrest was ordered by Federal High Court, Dutse in Jigawa State, former governor of the state, Saminu Turaki is yet to be found.

Spokesman to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren told The Guardian Monday that search was still on-going for the ex-governor who is being tried over alleged N36 billion fraud.

"He is yet to be found and we are still searching. The court order is for us to be able to present him at the next court sitting. We are still searching for him", he said.

Justice S. Yahuza of the Federal High Court, Dutse last Friday issued a warrant directing the Inspector General of Police or his officers and the EFCC to arrest the former governor and bring him before the court.

"You are hereby commanded to arrest the said Ibrahim Saminu Turaki and bring him before me at Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State without delay", the court ordered.

Turaki, who had earlier been declared wanted by the EFCC sequel to  the court order for his arrest, is being tried on a 32- count charge in a case of theft and  money laundering. He was declared wanted for his failure to attend his trial.

Turaki was a two-term governor of Jigawa State between May 29, 1999 - May 29, 2007.  He was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on a 32-count charge of misappropriating N36 billion while he was governor.

The case was later transferred to Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT Court. He was subsequently re-arraigned on a 32-count charge at the Federal High Court Dutse, Jigawa State.

His last known address was No. 16, Dennis Osadebey Street, Asokoro Villa, Abuja.



The Guardian