Musa Ubandawaki

SOKOTO: Sokoto State Judicial Commission of Enquiry has concluded its public hearing into the activities of the immediate past administration of former Governor Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Chairman of the commission and the Presiding Judge, Justice Abdullahi Mu’azu Pindiga announced the closure after today’s proceedings held at Usman Faruk Secretariat Sokoto.

He said the commission was not meant to compel or arrest anyone but to only investigate the process and how government properties were sold it auctioned for the record.

Tambuwal is billed to testify on certain mamors presented to the commission by individuals and groups by failed the commission’s invitations despite numerous adjournment to have him attend the hearing.

According to Dr. Hassan M. Liman (SAN), Counsel to the commission, the public hearing began in 2023, and all invited witnesses have appeared and testified except the former now Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

“The commission’s decision to conclude the public hearing is in line with its terms of reference.”

” Once the commission submits its report, the state government will constitute a White Paper committee to accept or reject the findings.”

Dr. Liman noted that the commission has completed its work to the best of its ability. Lawyers representing witnesses can still submit contributions to guide the commission within 14 days.

The State Government established the commission to investigate certain activities of the Tambuwal’s eight-year tenure as governor.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu constituted the panel to ascertain the happenings of the past administration and the whereabout of government vehicles and other public utilities.

Although Tambuwal was invited to appear, he However failed to show up as principal witness.

Tambuwal represented by his councils throughout the period of the commission’s public hearing which lasted for over a year.

The commission served the former Governor with four summons requesting him to clarifications on some allegations made by his former members of the state executive councils

It could be recalled that ,Tambuwal appeared once before the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry in February 2024, accompanied by his legal team and former officials, but since then he refused to honour all other invitations by the commission.

However, he was asked to reappear on another date.

The commission has concluded its public sitting, marking the end of this phase of the enquiry.

Counsel to Tambuwal, Barrister Nuhu Adamu, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment and announced plans to apply for a copy of the ruling to proceed with an appeal.