TheCable

The presidency says Gimba Yau Kumo, a former managing director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), no longer shares family ties with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kumo married Fatima, the president’s daughter, in 2016 at Daura, Katsina state.

On Thursday, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in a notice, declared Kumo wanted alongside Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola over alleged misappropriation and dispersion of national housing funds to the tune of $65 million.

Speaking on Gambo’s connection to Buhari in a statement on Friday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said “the relationship ended years ago”.

“A running story to the effect that the ICPC has declared ‘an in-law of the President’ wanted in connection with fraud involving the large sum of money, USD65 million to be exact, this should normally be an affirmation that our anti-corruption agencies/institutions are truly independent and allowed unfettered freedom by the President,  which is in fact the case,” the statement reads.

“That a state institution can issue such is a measure of the administration’s commitment to accountability, equality and justice.

“To set the records straight, the person declared wanted by the ICPC is not an in-law to President Buhari. While at some point in time, the said fugitive from justice had been linked to a family member in marriage, that relationship has ended some years ago.

“It is therefore unfortunate to bring the President’s family into this case. It is in our view an attempt to generate views and sell copies of sensational reporting.

“The President’s position at all times is that the law be allowed to take its course. As is well known of him, President Muhammadu Buhari will not provide any cover for crime, no matter who is involved.”