Sokoto Government Receives Judicial Inquiry Report on Financial Mismanagement

From Muhammad Gazali Garba 

The Sokoto State Government on Tuesday formally received the report of the judicial commission of inquiry set up to investigate the activities of the immediate past administration of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Receiving the report on behalf of the state government, Governor Ahmed Aliyu commended the commission for its diligent, impartial, and evidence-driven work. 

He emphasized that the establishment of the commission was not intended as an act of vendetta, nor to settle political scores.

“The purpose of this commission has always been to promote accountability, reinforce good governance, and ensure that every public office holder understands the need for transparency in managing state resources,” Governor Aliyu said.

He assured that the state government would carefully review the report and its recommendations, promising to take appropriate actions within the framework of the law. “We will use the findings to strengthen fiscal discipline, reform public financial processes, and prevent future mismanagement,” the governor added.

To ensure a structured and transparent response, Governor Aliyu announced that a White Paper Committee, composed of people of proven integrity, would be assigned to examine the commission’s findings in detail and produce a white paper. The document is expected to outline the government’s position on each finding, recommend specific actions, and serve as a public record of the state’s response.

“The handover of this report, along with the forthcoming white paper, marks critical steps in ensuring that Sokoto State continues to uphold the principles of accountability and good governance,” Governor Aliyu added.

Speaking after the handover, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, Chairman of the Commission, said the panel conducted its work with the highest degree of professionalism and impartiality. “We carried out thorough investigations, verified documents, and heard testimonies from officials and stakeholders to ensure that our findings were fair, accurate, and evidence-based,” he stated.

The chairman further disclosed that the commission’s work revealed allegations of financial mismanagement amounting to over ₦117 billion during the eight-year tenure of the former administration. The panel highlighted breaches of financial regulations, questionable contract awards, and instances of non-compliance with due process in public expenditure, improper sales of government assets and other financial irregularities, all of which were carefully examined and verified by the commission.

Justice Pindiga emphasized that the commission’s mandate was to provide clarity and accountability, not to target any individual politically. He noted that the work involved extensive examination of official records, contracts, and public accounts to ensure that all conclusions were supported by concrete evidence.

The commission’s work, which began nearly three years ago, included public hearings and meticulous scrutiny of all financial and administrative activities of the Tambuwal administration.