The Coalition for Public Accountability and Justice (CPAJ) has called on Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Yakubu Adamu, to ...
The Coalition for Public Accountability and Justice (CPAJ) has called on Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Yakubu Adamu, to explain a reported ₦266 million transfer to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd and a separate ₦4.65 billion motorcycle-financing arrangement involving 15,000 motorcycles intended for civil servants in the state.
The coalition also demanded clarification of Adamu’s reported corporate interests, the roles of companies linked to the transactions under scrutiny and the destination of funds associated with the arrangements.
In a press release signed by its representative, Comrade Muhammad Y. Abdullahi, CPAJ said the transactions raised questions about transparency, accountability and the protection of public resources in Bauchi State.
The coalition, however, stressed that the reported transfers should not be treated as proof of misappropriation or other criminal conduct without evidence establishing the source and legal status of the funds.
At the centre of the controversy is a reported transfer of approximately ₦266 million to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, which CPAJ said was identified in testimony concerning financial transactions associated with the wider motorcycle-financing arrangement.
The coalition called for an explanation of the purpose of the payment, the source of the funds, the contractual or commercial basis for the transaction and the goods or services provided in return.
It also urged Adamu to substantiate the reported explanation that the transfer represented repayment of a loan by publishing relevant documentation, including the original loan agreement, evidence of disbursement, repayment terms and bank records.
“Where a public officeholder has a corporate interest in a company involved in transactions attracting public scrutiny, transparency is essential. The public deserves documentary evidence, not silence,” the coalition said.
CPAJ emphasised that the reported ₦266 million transfer must be accounted for separately from the ₦4.65 billion motorcycle-financing arrangement to prevent double-counting or misleading claims about the amounts received by individual companies.
On the motorcycle deal, the coalition said reports concerning the transaction identified inflows of ₦4 billion and ₦650 million into the account of Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises, with subsequent transactions involving other corporate accounts also featuring in reports on the matter.
It questioned whether the proposed 15,000 motorcycles were supplied, which institutions approved the financing, who ultimately received the funds and what documentary evidence supported the transactions.
The coalition urged the Bauchi State Government and Adamu to make relevant contracts, payment records, delivery documents and audit findings publicly available, subject to applicable disclosure laws.
It further called for clarification of Adamu’s reported relationship with Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, including the nature of any corporate interests and whether potential conflicts of interest had been disclosed in accordance with applicable laws.
CPAJ also sought information about several other companies named in allegations and reports concerning financial dealings in Bauchi State.
The companies listed in the statement include RZI Ventures Global Resorts, Dreamlabs Nigeria Ltd, Courtville Business Solutions, Ayab Agro Allied, Muntaka Musa Oil & Gas, Ms Zaheerah Multi Services Ltd, Mahr Multi Purpose, D. Nice No. 1 City Ltd, Abu Aslam Multi Business Link, AYAB Construction Company Ltd, AUA Integrated Services Ltd, M & Y Consolidated Company Ltd and I.S. Makayya Investment Resources Ltd.
The coalition cautioned, however, that the inclusion of the companies in its statement did not establish that they received misappropriated government funds or participated in unlawful activities.
It called for verifiable information showing which of the companies secured contracts from the Bauchi State Government or its agencies, the amounts involved, the services rendered and whether the transactions complied with procurement and financial regulations.
CPAJ also raised questions about contracts relating to revenue collection and salary payments, particularly those allegedly involving Courtville Business Solutions and other named companies.
It demanded details of any such contracts, the procurement processes through which they were awarded and their total financial value.
The coalition further called for an independent review of the transactions and the publication of findings that could lawfully be disclosed to the public.
It said its demands were not a declaration of guilt against Adamu or any of the named companies but an appeal for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
“We are not asking the public to convict anyone through the media. We are demanding transparency, accountability and a clear explanation of transactions that deserve public scrutiny. If the money was lawfully handled, the records should demonstrate that. If evidence establishes wrongdoing, the law must take its course without fear or favour,” the statement said.
CPAJ urged the appropriate authorities to examine any credible documentary evidence of financial misconduct while ensuring due process and giving all parties a fair opportunity to respond.
The coalition also called on Adamu to issue a detailed public statement addressing the reported transfers, his corporate interests and the companies identified in the allegations.
It maintained that the people of Bauchi State were entitled to know how public money and government-backed financial arrangements were approved, transferred and spent, adding that it would continue to advocate transparency in public finance and responsible governance.
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