In an alleged desperate move to secure the court of Appeal judgement to reverse the victory of Dr. David Ombugadu at the tribunal, State account is said to have been drained to red.
This is as a result of the allegation that the state governor had last month redirected the state allocation from the federation account from the state ministry of finance to fund a scheme set up to induce the Appeal Court to reverse the tribunal judgement in his favour when constituted.
An impeccable source in the State Ministry of Finance who remain anonymous revealed that the State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has redirected last month allocation from the Federation Account to fund a scheme set up to bribe some officials of the Federal Judiciary in the hope of securing a favourable judgement at the Court of Appeal following the upturning of his election by the Tribunal.
The source said the inability of the Governor to convene the state’s Joint Accounts Allocation Committee Meeting was mainly because the funds are no longer there, as they have been funneled to the pockets of some corrupt officials who promised to influence the outcome of the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Sule’s favour.
“I can confirm to you that the coffers of the government have been cleared out. Even before the last allocation from FAAC came, the accounts are in red. substantial amounts from the state’s accounts are being redirected towards the Governor’s legal expenses while the rest are being funneled to some pliant officials in order to bend the rules at the Appeal Court,” the anonymous source stated.
The source expressed deep concern over recent developments regarding the utilization of Nasarawa State funds especially since the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sacked him from office, stressing that all government functions have been put on hold except for those that will give the Governor visibility in the media.
“This raises serious questions about the propriety of using public funds for personal legal matters, especially in a context as sensitive as an election-related trial.
According to the sources close to the state ministry of finance, “every individual is entitled to a fair defense, we emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.
“The people of Nasarawa State have entrusted their funds for the betterment of the state, and any deviation from this purpose undermines the public trust,” the source stated.
The source claimed that even with the advice of the state ministry of Finance,the Governor has insisted that he will use every thing in his authority to remain in office at all cost, not minding the consequences of his action.
“In fact, some of his flippant supporters are already jubilating that one of the judges, whom they expect to be on the panel, has allegedly agreed to work with them having been induced last night.
“They are just awaiting for the unveiling of the full list of judges in order to activate their other plans into action.
“The governor has taken all the state’s resources for this purpose, but the people of Nasarawa State are hopeful that the judges will uphold merit and might turn down his offer in the interest of Justice.
“We urge the judiciary to ensure impartial and just trial process, free from any external influences that could compromise the integrity of the court outcome,” the source said.
The source also alleged that a prominent traditional ruler has been under pressure to activate his Abuja contacts in order to achieve their goal.
“The traditional ruler was overheard saying that the governor is visibly disturbed and unsettled leading to the importation of an Indian talisman or marabout who was accompanied to Keffi by other equally prominent northern chiefs in the guise of attending a sudden public lecture at the University.
Our source further disclosed that part of the plan is to perfect strategies and deploy influence to aid the governor’s success at appeal.
“They were all over the place yesterday night in Abuja desperately trying to conclude deals with one of the judges who they expect will be a member of the panel.
“They were also once again making all efforts to see the VP in this regard yesterday. The team included a Senator hoping to succeed Engr Sule in 2027, a wealthy northern businessman, an Emir who doubled as the judge’s contact man, been a retired judge, as well as a popular national leader of the APC.
“All these endeavours are being sponsored with the state’s meagre resources. They are mentally comfortable now to the extent of issuing a press release calling on their members to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm”, the source alleged.
