EFCC declares ex-Gov Turaki wanted over Alleged N36bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday declared former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Saminu Turaki wanted in connection with an alleged N36bn fraud.

The anti-graft agency declared him wanted following an order of a Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State, which issued a warrant against him.

A statement by the commission's spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said Justice Yahuza ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the EFCC to arrest Turaki, and bring him to court.

It quoted the judge as saying, 'You are hereby commanded to arrest the said Ibrahim Saminu Turaki and bring him before me at the Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State without delay.'

Turaki is wanted for his failure to attend trial in the N36bn case of theft and money laundering slammed against him by the commission.

Born on July 14, 1963, Turaki served as Jigawa Governor from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007.

Turaki was first arraigned by the EFCC before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on 32 counts of misappropriating N36bn while in office.

The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT court.

He was subsequently re-arraigned on 32 counts at the Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State.

According to the EFCC, Turaki's last known address was No. 16, Dennis Osadebe Street, Asokoro Villa, Abuja.

The commission implored anyone having useful information about the whereabouts of the former governor to notify its offices in Kano, Gombe, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Lagos or report at the nearest police station