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| Alhaji Bamanga Tukur |
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has vowed not to intervene in the trial of his son, Mahmud, who is on trial along with other directors of oil-marketing and trading (OM&T) companies before a Lagos High Court for fuel subsidy fraud.
Tukur told State House correspondents Sunday shortly after the Muslim community in Abuja visited President Goodluck Jonathan to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with him that he would allow his son to face trial.
He said if found guilty of the alleged charges against him, his son would “face the music.”
Tukur’s son is among scores of petroleum marketers being
prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that is
investigating the abuse of the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).
prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that is
investigating the abuse of the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).
He was among the first batch of petroleum marketers, comprising
seven oil companies and 12 individuals, arraigned in Lagos last month for
allegedly obtaining subsidy payments running into billions of naira from the
Federal Government under false pretence.
seven oil companies and 12 individuals, arraigned in Lagos last month for
allegedly obtaining subsidy payments running into billions of naira from the
Federal Government under false pretence.
Mahmud, who is the managing director of Eterna Oil and Gas Plc,
was charged alongside Ochonogor Alex, Abdullahi Alao and the company for
allegedly obtaining N1,899,238,946.02 from the PSF fraudulently for the
importation of 80.3 million litres of petrol.
was charged alongside Ochonogor Alex, Abdullahi Alao and the company for
allegedly obtaining N1,899,238,946.02 from the PSF fraudulently for the
importation of 80.3 million litres of petrol.
The defendants are facing a nine-count charge related to
conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and use of false
documents.
conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and use of false
documents.
In the charges preferred
against them before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, the EFCC averred that on April
28, 2011 in Lagos, they had fraudulently obtained the money from the Federal
Government purporting same to be payment accruing to Eterna Oil under the PSF.
However, fielding questions from reporters after the visit to the president,
Tukur said his son, who in now on bail, is an adult who knows the implications
of his actions and is old enough to bear the consequences of his actions.
against them before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, the EFCC averred that on April
28, 2011 in Lagos, they had fraudulently obtained the money from the Federal
Government purporting same to be payment accruing to Eterna Oil under the PSF.
However, fielding questions from reporters after the visit to the president,
Tukur said his son, who in now on bail, is an adult who knows the implications
of his actions and is old enough to bear the consequences of his actions.
He said he was not worried by criticism that he has faced
following his son’s travails and the call for his resignation, adding: “I’m not
perturbed but let’s wait for the outcome of the court’s decision.
following his son’s travails and the call for his resignation, adding: “I’m not
perturbed but let’s wait for the outcome of the court’s decision.
“He is my son, I have never disowned him. My son is an adult; I
can assure you it is only the court of justice that will determine his fate. It
is not justice by public opinion; it is justice by the court that is it.
can assure you it is only the court of justice that will determine his fate. It
is not justice by public opinion; it is justice by the court that is it.
“As I have said, we must follow justice and whoever is found
guilty will be dealt with, and if he is not, we will know,” he said.
guilty will be dealt with, and if he is not, we will know,” he said.
On the Eid-El-Fitr celebration, Tukur said this year was unique
because this Ramadan month had five Fridays, which he said could take about 50
years to occur again.
because this Ramadan month had five Fridays, which he said could take about 50
years to occur again.
He added that the celebration was made the more unique by the
fact that the day fell on a Sunday, a day both Muslims and Christians will set
aside to offer prayers for peace, unity and progress of the nation.
fact that the day fell on a Sunday, a day both Muslims and Christians will set
aside to offer prayers for peace, unity and progress of the nation.
“In all our scriptures, we are all asked to pray for peace, that
is, by all religions. To me, maybe God has now shown us the key and it is said
that when we knock, He will open. In our own religion (Islam), it is said, ‘if
you call me, I will answer’.
is, by all religions. To me, maybe God has now shown us the key and it is said
that when we knock, He will open. In our own religion (Islam), it is said, ‘if
you call me, I will answer’.
“So this is a very unique occasion and we pray to Almighty God
for this country to have peace and unity,” he said.
for this country to have peace and unity,” he said.
Source: Thisday
