Kano Speaker, 10 other lawmakers arrested by the EFCC

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arrested the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Gambo Sallau and 10 other principal officers of the house.

The PUNCH gathered their arrest followed a petition over the N25bn supplementary budget presented by the governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso to the lawmakers on December 5.

There are suspicions that the supplementary budget is a cover up to financial misappropriation.

Kwakwanso recently left the ruling Peoples Democratic Party with four other governors to join the opposition party-All Progressives Congress.

The EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent in Abuja.

He said, “It is true they were invited. They are still with us. They were brought in from Kano today (Monday).”

He, however, refused to give details of the arrests and the allegations.

Uwujaren, however, debunked insinuations that the arrest had political undertone.

He said, “It has nothing to do with politics. The insinuation is unfounded. The EFCC is only performing its statutory responsibility.”

However, Kwakwanso, has expressed dismay and shock, over the arrest of the state lawmakers.

He alleged that the public officials were  arrested in connection with the budget  amendment of 2013 of the state government, which had already been signed into law by the state governor.

He said, “It is crystal clear that the above mentioned public officials were arrested by the EFCC on the orders from the above, because of the legislators’ defection to APC, in support of Kwakwanso.

“This action is obviously to intimidate and cow them into submission for choosing to move to the progressives’ fold. This action is not only despicable and absurd but also capable of igniting crisis in the polity, thereby breaching the relative peace that is being enjoyed in Kano State.”