The Forum for Good Governance, FFGG, has backed the arrest of former Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance and Local Government, Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu over allegations of money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.

DAILY POST recalls that the former Commissioner for Finance, who served under Governor Nasir Elrufai’s administration was arrested and locked up in Kaduna Correctional Centre following a petition, where he was accused of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million between 2015 and 2023.

Reacting in a statement by Ahmadu Ibrahim Kauru, its Director, on Thursday, the Forum for Good Governance said there was nothing wrong with his arrest, especially when the issue revolves around the looting of public funds.

The group warned that any attempt by Elrufai to interfere with the process will be resisted vehemently.

While noting that recovery of looted funds is very necessary now that Kaduna State is highly indebted, the Forum insisted that” His arrest must not be politicised because his arrest for alleged financial crime is in order.

It noted the allegations of misappropriation of funds and sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar, instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government

“Additionally, he is accused of failing to account for proceeds from the sale of government houses in Marafa Estate, Kaduna, amounting to approximately N244 million.

“We gathered from reports that the Kaduna State House of Assembly previously investigated Sa’idu’s financial dealings and forwarded its findings to anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC.” The statement further added

“We are happy that the police confirmed his arrest was not politically motivated but followed by credible allegations of financial crimes and will remain in detention as investigations continue,” it said.

Group backs arrest of Elrufai’s former Finance Commissioner over alleged looted fund