Gimba Kumo, former son-in-law of Buhari speaks, blames ICPC

An ex-son-in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari Mr Gimba Kumo has blamed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on why he was declared wanted without prior invitation.

Top Naija reported that the ICPC declared Kumo wanted for “misappropriation of $65m” while he was Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

He was declared wanted along with Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola.

Gimba Kumo (middle), Tarry Rufus (left) and Bola Ogunsola (right) wanted by ICPC

Meanwhile, Kumo reacted to the statement of ICPC in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, which is dated May 18, 2021.

The letter was entitled ‘Re: Declaration of Mallam Gimba Yau Kumo, OON, as a Wanted Person in National Dailies, Social Media and the ICPC Website’

In his letter, Kumo depicted the development as unfortunate, stating that no effort was made to invite him before he was declared wanted.

The letter, signed by his lawyer, Chief O.U Orji, and Uwem Umoawan, read in part, “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.”

Kumo said that the ICPC had violated its own Act, by declaring him wanted without following due process.

He added that he had already been investigated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the report had been sent to President Buhari.

Kumo stated that the decision to declare him wanted was like a witch-hunt therefore the haste by the ICPC.

The letter added, “Suffice it to be noted that the same allegations were duly 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?”

Kumo added that he was prepared to approach the ICPC the moment he is appropriately served with an invitation.