The Sokoto State Judicial Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate the administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal since October 2023, concluded its public hearing on Thursday.
During his presentation before the Commission, the Lead Counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), emphasized that the inquiry was not intended to harass, discredit, or malign the former governor but rather to examine his stewardship, which is an accepted practice in governance.
However, expressing concern over the former governor’s failure to appear as a witness in response to several memos, Liman urged the Commission to consider the memos, including 002, 003, 004, 005, 007, 008, 009, and 010, where Tambuwal was listed as a witness but did not attend. The memos were adjourned to the 14th, 15th, and 16th of January 2025. Liman stated, “May I urge with respect that these memos be bound by whatever will be the finding of the commission.”
Liman reiterated that the Commission was an inquiry, not a trial, and that no legal obligation compelled witnesses to testify. “This commission is a fact-finding inquiry into the state’s properties during Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023,” he explained. “Out of respect for the former governor, it was agreed, in the presence of his counsels, that all other witnesses should testify first before his appearance.”
He further noted that multiple adjournments had been made to allow Tambuwal to testify, yet he failed to show up. “I therefore urge this commission, having provided ample opportunity for witness number 1, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to testify, and given his consistent absence, to bring the proceedings to an end by formally closing the public hearing,” Liman concluded.
In defense of the former governor, Barrister Nuhu Adamu, representing Usman Suleiman (SAN), counsel to several witnesses, requested an adjournment, asserting that the former governor remained interested in appearing before the Commission. He also argued that the governor holds the Commission in high regard, which is why his legal team has been present at all sittings.
After hearing from all parties, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, delivered the Commission’s decision. He acknowledged that the inquiry had spanned over a year with multiple adjournments, and therefore no further adjournments would be granted. Despite Section 7(d) of the Commission’s establishing provisions, which empowers the Commission to order an arrest for failing to honor its invitation, Justice Pindiga stated that the Commission had opted not to take such action.
“From the outset, the Commission agreed to give former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal time to testify after all other witnesses. Despite multiple adjournments, we can no longer grant further extensions,” Justice Pindiga stated.
The Commission has given a 14-day deadline for any witnesses to submit written responses to the memos, with a 10-day period for replies, before officially concluding its public hearings.