by Mu’Azu Abubakar on Today
Fear has gripped Adamawa state government officials as officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stormed Yola, the state capital, to arrest top aide of Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow, AbdurRahman Abba Jimeta.
Abba Jimeta, Chief of Staff to Gov. Bindow who also served as the chief of staff to former Gov. Murtala Nyako, whose property along Karewa road, opposite Bekaji Housing Estate were sealed off by EFCC, is alleged to have been involved in a scam amounting to over N2.88 billion for the renovation of Yola International hotel that was awarded since Murtala Nyako’s regime.
According to our findings, contract for the project was reviewed upward almost three times, and the payment were categorized into nine installments where the government then paid up to N2.664 billion and was left with the balance of N204 million.
“But when Bindow’s administration came on board, the contract was again reviewed upward, under the supervision of ministry of culture and tourism,” said a government source that doesn’t want to be named.
Efforts to get EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren proved abortive as his GSM lines seems to be switch-off neither the SMS sent to him no reply, but an impeccable source in the anti graft agency confirmed the arrest.
“Yes, he is being interrogated over some issues, but you know you can get details as I am not authorized to talk press,” said the official.
Also a closed associate of the detained chief of staff who preferred anonymity confirmed that,” He was only invited over a plot of land that he bought from Jafaru Malik, they took him to Gombe to show prove of ownership, I wonder how people peddle rumour”, he said.