Two Sokoto State ex-commissioners in the administration of Senator Aminu Tambuwal on Friday testified before the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry regarding an alleged memorandum on the monetisation of official vehicles to the 23 former local government chairmen.

 The memorandum revealed that in 2023, brand new toyota Hilux Vehicles (2020 model) were purportedly monetised to the former chairmen under the guise of the state’s monetisation policy.

 The former commissioners, Dr Ali Inname and Abdullahi Maigwandu, responsible for finance and local government affairs, respectively, gave their testimonies before the commission led by Justice Muazu Pindiga.

 The commission, inaugurated by the current administration, is investigating government asset sales and auctions from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.

The former state Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Sheu and ex-Sokoto North LG Chairman, also testified. 

 The witnesses explained the circumstances surrounding the alleged monetisation, addressing concerns about the legality of the act.  

The commission’s counsel Amanzi Amanzi, while addressing journalists, announced that the 23 LGA chairmen from the previous administration were summoned to testify as witnesses on December 12.

 Mr Amanzi emphasised that though monetising vehicles to outgoing officials was a longstanding tradition in the state, the commission deemed it necessary to examine its legality.

 “The commission of inquiry is of the opinion that monetisation of vehicles is not legal, and regardless of its historical practice, what is illegal remains illegal,” he stated.

 The counsel clarified that the process was designed to determine the actual purchase price of the vehicles and investigate whether there were legitimate grounds for the alleged monetisation.

 Meanwhile, the commission has adjourned until December 12, to allow the 23 ex-LG chairmen to present their justifications on the memo. 

(NAN)