By Amos Joseph
The Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Yakubu Adamu, has been urged to explain a reported ₦266 million transfer to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd and a separate ₦4.65 billion motorcycle-financing arrangement involving 15,000 motorcycles intended for civil servants in the state.
The call was made by the Coalition for Public Accountability and Justice (CPAJ), which also demanded clarification of Adamu’s reported corporate interests, the roles of companies named in allegations concerning financial transactions and the destination of funds linked to the arrangements.
In a press release signed by its representative, Comrade Muhammad Y. Abdullahi, the coalition said the reported transactions raised questions about transparency, accountability and the protection of public resources in Bauchi State.
CPAJ said the reported ₦266 million transfer to Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd was identified in testimony concerning financial transactions associated with a wider motorcycle-financing arrangement.
It called for a detailed explanation of the purpose of the payment, the source of the funds, the contractual or commercial basis for the transaction and the goods or services provided in return.
The coalition, however, cautioned against treating the reported transfer as proof of misappropriation, stressing that the source and legal status of the funds must be established through evidence.
It also urged Adamu to provide documentary evidence supporting the reported explanation that the ₦266 million represented repayment of a loan. Such documents, it said, should include the original loan agreement, evidence of disbursement, repayment terms and relevant bank records.
“Where a public officeholder has a corporate interest in a company involved in transactions attracting public scrutiny, transparency is essential. The public deserves documentary evidence, not silence,” the coalition said.
On the separate ₦4.65 billion motorcycle-financing arrangement, CPAJ said reports concerning the transaction identified inflows of ₦4 billion and ₦650 million into the account of Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises. It added that subsequent transactions involving other corporate accounts had also featured in reports on the matter.
The coalition questioned whether the proposed 15,000 motorcycles were supplied, which institutions approved the financing, who ultimately received the funds and what documentary evidence supported the transactions.
It called on Adamu and the Bauchi State Government to publish relevant contracts, payment records, delivery documents and audit findings, subject to applicable disclosure laws.
CPAJ also stressed that the ₦4.65 billion financing arrangement must be accounted for separately from the reported ₦266 million transfer to Ayab Agro to prevent double-counting or misleading claims about the amounts received by individual companies.
The coalition further asked Adamu to clarify his reported relationship with Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, including the nature of his corporate interests and whether any potential conflicts of interest had been disclosed in accordance with applicable laws.
Beyond the two transactions, CPAJ called for clarification of the ownership, roles and contractual relationships of several companies named in allegations and reports concerning financial dealings in Bauchi State.
The companies listed in the statement include RZI Ventures Global Resorts, Dreamlabs Nigeria Ltd, Courtville Business Solutions, Ayab Agro Allied, Muntaka Musa Oil & Gas, Ms Zaheerah Multi Services Ltd, Mahr Multi Purpose, D. Nice No. 1 City Ltd, Abu Aslam Multi Business Link, AYAB Construction Company Ltd, AUA Integrated Services Ltd, M & Y Consolidated Company Ltd and I.S. Makayya Investment Resources Ltd.
The coalition cautioned that the inclusion of the companies in its statement did not establish that they received misappropriated government funds or participated in unlawful activities.
It called for verifiable information identifying which of the companies held contracts with the Bauchi State Government or its agencies, the amounts paid to them, the services they rendered and whether the transactions complied with procurement and financial regulations.
CPAJ also sought clarification about contracts relating to revenue collection and salary payments, particularly those allegedly involving Courtville Business Solutions and other named companies.
It asked the authorities to disclose any relevant contracts, the procurement processes through which they were awarded and their total financial value.
The coalition further called for an independent review of the transactions and publication of findings that could lawfully be made available to the public.
It also urged the appropriate authorities to examine any credible documentary evidence of financial misconduct while ensuring due process and giving all parties a fair opportunity to respond.
In its statement, CPAJ outlined five key areas requiring clarification: the purpose and documentation of the ₦266 million transfer; the final destination of funds linked to the ₦4.65 billion financing arrangement; Adamu’s declared corporate interests; contracts allegedly awarded to Courtville Business Solutions and other named companies; and the possibility of an independent review of the transactions.
The coalition maintained that its demands did not amount to a declaration that Adamu or any of the named companies had committed an offence.
“We are not asking the public to convict anyone through the media. We are demanding transparency, accountability and a clear explanation of transactions that deserve public scrutiny. If the money was lawfully handled, the records should demonstrate that. If evidence establishes wrongdoing, the law must take its course without fear or favour,” the statement said.
CPAJ called on Adamu to issue a detailed public statement addressing the reported transfers, his corporate interests and the companies identified in the allegations.
It also urged the Bauchi State Government to demonstrate that public funds and government-backed financial arrangements were managed transparently, with effective oversight and verifiable records.
The coalition said it would continue to advocate transparency in public finance and responsible governance in Bauchi State.
0 Comments