The Sokoto State Commission of Inquiry has approved the request of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal and nine others for additional time to prepare their defence.

At its resumed hearing on Tuesday in Sokoto, the commission summoned Mr Tambuwal and other officials of his administration as witnesses, among other stakeholders. 

The witnesses were summoned to explain their involvement in the alleged sale and auctioning of government assets related to the State Ministry of Agriculture. 

During the hearing, Suleiman Usman (SAN), the counsel for Mr Tambuwal and the nine others, requested an extension to allow them to respond to the memorandum. 

Mr Usman pointed out that some witnesses needed to be appropriately served, necessitating the request for additional time.

The nine other witnesses included Sani Garba-Shuni, Sa’idu Umar, Abdussamad Dasuki, Ali Inname, Aminu Dodon-Daji, Buhari Tambuwal, Umar Wali, Umar Bature, Mai-Akwai Tudu, and Aliyu Tureta, among others.

Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, the commission’s chairman, granted the request, giving the witnesses a two-day extension to prepare and respond to the memorandum.

Mr Pindiga scheduled the next hearing for October 5 for the formal adoption of the memorandum and the commencement of the hearing.

In the meantime, three witnesses had chosen to return the tractors they had acquired through auction within two days.

According to one of the witnesses, the tractor had been given to him as a ‘donation for sesame production’. 

(NAN)