Top banks named in Katsina state’s missing N5bn SURE-P funds

– Missing SURE-P funds of Katsina state were reportedly withdrawn from accounts with Sterling Bank and FCMB by the past government of Shehu Shema

– Special Adviser (Budget) to present Katsina state governor, Abdullahi Imam says the money, which is about N5.7bn was not accounted for after the withdrawal

– Imam presented 26 documents as evidence and will be cross-examined by lawyers on Wednesday, August 24

Former Katsina governor, Shehu Shema

Not fewer than two top banks have been named in the alleged withdrawal of billions of Naira from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) accounts of Katsina state.

Former governor of the state, Shehu Shema is alleged to have made withdrawals from the banks, namely First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Sterling Bank without proof of what the money was used for.

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The allegation was made by a witness, Mallam Abdullahi Imam during the sitting of the Commission of Inquiry probing the finances of former Governor Shema’s tenure in the state.

The Punch quotes Imam, who is Special Adviser (Budget) to Governor Aminu Masari as saying that the total sum of cash withdrawal from SURE-P account during the period stood at N5,707,029,272.52 and that these two banks were responsible for around two-thirds of it.

According to Imam, the breakdown of the cash withdrawal and the banks where the money was withdrawn and the account number were Sterling Bank (Account Number: 7027516451), amount: N1,134,881.00 and FCMB (Account Number: 2731286019), amount: N2,243,200,033.30.

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Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Justice Muhammad Surajo admitted the 26 documents bearing the details of the bank statements concerning the cash withdrawal which were presented by Imam as evidence.

Meanwhile the questioning of the witness by lawyers to some of those dragged before the commission, is expected to commence on Wednesday, August 24.

NAIJ.com recalls leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu had slammed SURE-P by the Goodluck Jonathan administration as a way of defrauding the Nigerian people.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Tinubu said the acronym SURE-P was aimed at deceiving Nigerians.

“Where is that SURE-P? What is sure about it? It is corruption,” he questioned rhetorically.

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