Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi By Our Reporter The Noble Youth Mass Support Association (NYMSA) has called on the Jigawa Stat...
 |
| Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi |
By Our Reporter
The Noble Youth Mass Support Association (NYMSA)
has called on the Jigawa State Government to take decisive action over alleged
misconduct at Jigawa Savings and Loans Limited (JSL), involving the
institution’s Managing Director (MD), Babandi Isa Gumel.
In a statement released to newsmen in Kano on
Sunday, and signed by the association’s Jigawa State Director of Public
Affairs, Comrade Habeeb Mohammed, the group referenced an ongoing case
involving the MD, currently before the Chief Magistrate Court. The case was
filed by the Jigawa State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission
(JPCACC).
According to the group, the matter originated
from a whistleblower report in November 2014, which prompted JPCACC to launch
an investigation into the operations of JSL. The MD was subsequently charged
with several financial infractions, including the sale of plots of land without
due process, unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the JSL account for
unexecuted services, and failure to remit taxes to the Jigawa State Board of
Internal Revenue.
The group further noted that many banks
operate with internal policies requiring senior officials under
investigation—particularly for fraud—to step aside until the conclusion of
investigations or court proceedings.
“We use this medium to call on regulatory
bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance
Corporation (NDIC) to intervene. These agencies have the authority to enforce
disciplinary actions against any bank official facing corruption charges,
depending on the seriousness of the allegations and their potential impact on
the bank’s operations,” the statement read.
The association stressed that the potential
outcome of the case could result in the MD’s dismissal and forfeiture of
benefits, should he be convicted. It therefore urged the state government to
instruct the JSL Board of Directors to suspend the MD pending the outcome of
legal proceedings.
“Though the MD was granted bail, he
surprisingly resumed office—a move that contradicts civil service regulations.
In situations involving criminal investigations, particularly those related to
financial crimes, it is standard procedure to suspend the officer until the
case is resolved,” the group stated.
The group alleged that upon his return to
office, the MD engaged in further questionable activities, including excessive
spending and suspicious cash withdrawals, purportedly aimed at influencing the
outcome of the ongoing trial.
“One such example is the purchase of a vehicle
for the Chairman of the Board at a cost of N57 million from Carloha Nigeria
Ltd. The payment, drawn directly from JSL’s account, was made to an Access Bank
account (Account Name: Carloha Nigeria Ltd, Account Number: 1402036587). This
appears to be a move to prevent the Board from taking necessary action against
him,” the group alleged.
The group also disclosed that the MD,
alongside the bank’s external auditor, is currently in court for alleged tax
evasion and under-remittance of Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Federal Inland
Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Jigawa State Board of Internal Revenue.
“It is important to reiterate that when the
head of a government agency is under investigation or trial—particularly for
financial crimes—they must be suspended to allow for an unhindered legal
process. Yet, Mr. Babandi continues to hold his position and is reportedly
taking actions that may undermine the governance of Jigawa State,” the group
warned.
The association also alleged nepotism in the
MD’s administration, stating that he appointed his brother as the sole
contractor for the supply of security documents and stationery. Additionally,
his wife, who is not an employee of the institution, is said to frequently
interfere in its affairs.
The group concluded by urging the Jigawa State
Government to uphold the rule of law and take appropriate action by suspending
the MD and ensuring that proper legal and administrative procedures are
followed.
No comments