Anti-Corruption Group Demands Transparency from Zamfara Governor on Financial Declarations
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Advocate for Social Justice (ASJ), an anti-corruption organization, has issued a compelling challenge to Zamfara state Governor, Dauda Lawal, demanding full disclosure of the facts and figures behind his financial deposit declarations with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
At a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of ASJ, Gamji Guana Joseph, presented documents suggesting that Governor Dauda Lawal may be one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, with an astounding $5 billion balance in one of his personal accounts.
The ASJ emphasized the dire circumstances in Zamfara state, which has been heavily impacted by insecurity, terrorism, and illegal mining, rendering it one of the most disadvantaged states in northern Nigeria. The organization raised pertinent questions about the origin of Governor Lawal’s wealth, given his background as a former banker with First Bank of Nigeria and his subsequent involvement with Credent Capital and Advisory Limited, which he co-founded with Munir Umaru Baba.
The group disclosed that Governor Lawal declared substantial cash deposits in various banks, including $5,013,357,125.13, N1,522,865,024.00, and £841,704.77, distributed across accounts with GT Bank, First Bank, and Taj Bank. Additionally, the Credent Advisory Limited corporate account maintained a fixed income of N200 million.
ASJ urged Governor Lawal to promptly provide the people of Zamfara and Nigeria with comprehensive information about the origins of these financial declarations to allay suspicions regarding potential corruption or support for illegal activities.
The organization emphasized that this call for transparency is not without a deadline. If Governor Lawal fails to reveal the sources of his declared figures within one week, ASJ intends to mobilize the public to march to the National Assembly. Their aim is to press for a state of emergency declaration in Zamfara by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, facilitating a thorough investigation into the governor’s wealth sources, specifically probing any potential involvement in terrorism and illegal mining activities.
Furthermore, ASJ questioned the Code of Conduct Bureau’s role in verifying Governor Lawal’s submissions, particularly regarding the sources of his income. While the governor may have legal immunity from prosecution, ASJ warned that he cannot escape public scrutiny and potential unrest from the people and citizens of Nigeria.
Of particular concern to ASJ is the colossal $5 billion cash balance in one of the governor’s First Bank personal accounts, described as a fixed deposit. The group has raised questions about the legitimacy of these financial inflows and their potential connections to money laundering, fraud, illegal mining, or terrorism financing.
The ASJ noted that if the claim of having over $5 billion in personal accounts results from joint investments, it would imply that the total earnings over the years exceed $12 billion, including partner shares and taxes. The group called for detailed and verifiable proof of these assertions, suggesting that such claims warrant careful examination.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the public eagerly awaits Governor Dauda Lawal’s response to these critical challenges, which may have far-reaching implications for both his political career and the state of Zamfara. The Code of Conduct Bureau, too, faces growing pressure to provide clarity on its role in verifying the financial disclosures of public officials.
