Money Laundering: Journalists Ask Lamido to Resign

Ibrahim Shuaibu         

Jigawa State veteran journalists led by a former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mallam Sani Zorro and a former state Director of Information, Alhaji Ishaq Hadejia, have demanded the immediate resignation of the state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, following the arrest of two of his sons Aminu and Mustapha over alleged money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement made available to journalists in Kano Monday, the two journalists said: “We demand the immediate, unconditional resignation of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, to pave the way for comprehensive and unhindered investigations into the allegations, and also provide the governor with the opportunity to clear himself of the allegations.”

They said the call became imperative in view of the magnitude of the allegations and gravity of the charges levelled against Lamido’s sons by both the Department of State Security (DSS) and the EFCC, adding that their demand for the governor to step aside was without ulterior motive, but for the allegations to be investigated without interference by the governor.

The journalists said their action became necessary because they were informed and responsible citizens with insight into the conduct of governance in the state, urging all Nigerians and anti-corruption organisations to take keen interest in these unfolding revelations of what they described as unspeakable proportions.

“In the alternative, all members of the Jigawa State House of Assembly should cooperate to facilitate the governor’s immediate impeachment, to salvage the integrity of our innocent citizens, failing which we will be compelled to embark on necessary measures to retrieve the collapsing image and glory of the state.”

They further warned against the use of the resources of the state to facilitate the legal defense of the two accused persons, stating that they had no legal status whatsoever, and were, therefore, being charged in their individual capacities.

They said they were not surprised by the allegations levelled against the governor’s children, because their involvement in government activities and transactions were an open secret.