Adamawa state Commissioner Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sanusi Faruk has vehemently denied obtaining #1million from the Staff Compulsory Savings Office C/O Secretary to State Government(SSG) for personal use.
Hon. Sanusi said that it was his ministry that collected the #1million "I owe you" from the state civil servants' cooperative about 2 months ago so as to host former National Football Star, Kanu Nwakwo who was to visit the state to build Kanu Nwanko Academic Football School.
The Commissioner on his Facebook Timeline monitored by NEWS PLATFORM today, disclosed that it was his ministry that collected the loan because it was not having money to host its guest and that the transaction took place 2 months ago.
But his application letter and other documents obtained by NEWS PLATFORM indicate that the transaction was personal and not official and dated 2nd October, 2020 which is over 3 months now as against 2 months as he claimed.
In his application letter which is on plain sheet and contains his personal residential address, Hon. Faruk who attached the photography of his Identity Card with letter, told the Manager of the Savings Office that the #1million will be used to execute some of his personal programmes.
"I wish to write and apply for the above sum of fund to enable me execute some of my personal programmes. The said amount (#1,000,000,00) shall be paid at the of October, 2020, with the interest of 20% as stated in your Compulsory Savings, please"
He admitted his arraingment in court over the issue, but said he was there: " because all my thinking, the judge may not be inform well because this is official transaction between my ministry and the union that borrow us that money".
Hon. Faruk stated that he walked out from the court hall when he did not understand what was happening, entered his car and drove out of the court premises, but could not deny fleeing the court premises.
He added that while at the court, one police officer came and asked him to enter one Honda car so that he will be taken to prison, "but I now ask the police officer are you ok?", saying he entered his car and drove out of the premises leaving behind the officer looking at him.
It could be recalled that NEWS PLATFORM exclusively reported how a mild drama ensued at the Criminal Area Court II in Yola, on Tuesday, when Hon. Sanusi Faruk and 2 Directors were docked for criminal conspiracy and breach of trust to the tune of #1.728million.
The two directors are, Markus Yaratsawa, Ministry of Women Affairs and Iliya Ayuba, Ministry of Youth and Sports. They were charged to Court along side the Commissioner for defaulting in payment of over #1.728 million loan obtained by the Commissioner from Staff Compulsory Savings under the office of the SSG of Adamawa State.
Hon. Sanusi Faruk who appeared as the first accused, was said to have approached the Staff Compulsory Savings Office C/O Secretary to State Government(SSG) Political Department Yola, Adamawa state in October, 2020 and collected #1million "I owe you" with the promise to refund the money in December, 2020 on 20 percent interest totalling #1.728 million.
The two Directors also stood as guarantors in the loan agreement which Hon. Sanusi Faruk defaulted.
The Staff Compulsory Savings, a co-operative was formed by more than 40 civil servants who make monthly contributions and give out loans to individuals, their staff and after share the profit at the end of every year among members.
But Hon. Sanusi was said to have failed to fulfil his own side of the bargain by refunding the principal amount and the accrued interest which forced members to have a bleak Christmas celebration.
NEWS PLATFORM learnt that since the day the Hon. Commissioner collected the money up to the time the matter was brought to Court, he was yet to pay a dime or even refund the principal amount he signed for as promised.
Irked by this development, the union decided to approach Hon. Musa Nuhu Garta Criminal Area Court II to recover its money.
It was at this juncture that the Hon. Commissioner and the two Directors were jointly arraigned as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants for Criminal Conspiracy and Breached of Trust before Hon. Musa Nuhu Garta led Honourable Court.
Upon appearance in court on Tuesday, the accused (Commissioner and the 2 Directors) did not deny liability of the offence but pleaded with the court to grant them bail.
The presiding Judge, Honourable Garta granted them the bail as prayed with a surety who must be a Serving Commissioner, Permanent Secretary or Director with the sum of #1million for the 3.
But a drama ensued as Hon. Sanusi Faruk, upon hearing the pronouncement of the Judge, he pretended to ease himself during which he hurriedly entered his car and fled the court premises.
The presiding Judge who felt embarrassed by the conduct of the Hon. Commissioner, ordered that the 2 Directors be remanded at the correctional service facility and further adjourned the matter to 12th January, 2021.
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