Mr. Gimba Kumo, a former son-in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari, has castigated the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly not inviting him for questioning before declaring him wanted.
He stated this in a letter dated May 18, 2021, and addressed to the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye.
Recall that the anti-corruption agency last Thursday declared Kumo wanted over alleged misappropriation of $65 million while he was Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).
Also declared wanted alongside Kumo were Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola.
In the letter titled, ‘Re: Declaration of Mallam Gimba Yau Kumo, OON, as a Wanted Person in National Dailies, Social Media and the ICPC Website’, Kumo through his lawyers, Chief O.U Orji and Uwem Umoawan, described the development as unfortunate and a “witch-hunt”.
“We were reliably informed by our client that he was never served with any official invitation in line with Section 29, 30, 31, and 32 of the ICPC Act, 2000.
“Since he left the FMBN, his private office and home addresses are well known to the public as both the DSS and the EFCC have also effected service/invitation to him personally which he honoured without any hesitation on the same issues as he does not have anything to hide,” the letter read in part.
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He said that ICPC violated its own rules by declaring him wanted without first inviting him for questioning.
Kumo added that he had been invited and questioned by the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the same matter and the report sent to President Buhari for further action.
“Suffice it to be noted that the same allegations were dully investigated by the DSS and the EFCC and reports have been sent to the President. All the documents ranging from the invitation letters and our client’s reply with the documentary proofs will be found if demanded.
“Sir, it is instructive to ask why the witch-hunt? Why the hurry to declare our client wanted? Why the publication without properly inviting our client in accordance with the law? What actually is the aim behind these investigations having been investigated by the DSS and EFCC on the same subject matter?” the letter queried.
He expressed readiness to respond to any invitation extended by the commission.