Reports today said a son of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state has been arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport,MAKIA Kano.He was arrested for underdeclaring the foreign currency in his possession.Strangely two different names were given in the reports earlier today.Some initial reports said it was Aminu Lamido that was arrested, however, one other website icirnigeria.org gave the name of the arrested son as Mustapha.But these are two different people,Newsdiaryonline.com learnt.
Though attempts by Newsdiaryonline.com to confirm the story from Wilson Uwujaren , spokesman of EFCC this afternoon hit a brickwall with his phone number said to be unavailable,other reports said the EFCC had confirmed the arrest which took place Tuesday night.Uwujaren reportedly said in a statement that it was Aminu who was arrested with undeclared sum of $40,000 while about to board a flight to Egypt.He had earlier declared $10,000.Why he would do a thing like this remains a mystery.
When Newsdiaryonline.com contacted Mallam Umar Kyari, the chief press secretary to Governor Lamido, he said he had been receiving several enquiries but he was unable to respond because he was conducting some ‘facility tour’.He pledged to respond after being briefed about what happened, later in the day.He did not send any statement as earlier promised .And when contacted again, his phone rang on end Wednesday night.
But an associate of the governor who was quick to blame the incident on politics wondered why any member of the governor’s family should allow this alleged money laundering scandal to happen at a critical time like this.
Lamido is believed to be eyeing the 2015 presidential race.He is one of the northern governors positioning themselves to give President Goodluck Jonathan a fight if Jonathan decides to run.Recent reports suggesting that for President Olusegun Obasanjo had endorsed a Lamido –Rotimi Amaechi 2015 ticket caused a stir on the political scene.
It is this background that made some knowledgeable sources wonder why this money laundering excuse was allowed by any of the Lamidos.But the public awaits reaction from the Governor.
