Ex-SSG denies fraud allegation by Gov Mohammed

Former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Barr. Ibrahim Kashim has said that he has engaged in fraudulent acts, or been tried by any institution of government, audit report or penal inquiry while in office as the SSG before his resignation, challenging the Governor, Bala Mohammed to sue him to a competent court of law.

Kashim in a statement on Friday was responding to Governor Bala Mohammed’s allegations that he removed him from office over alleged fraud.

He said he found the statement “unfortunate, misleading, and entirely untrue.”

His words: “At no time during my tenure as Secretary to the State Government was I indicted, queried, investigated, or found culpable of any act of fraud or financial impropriety. No panel of inquiry, audit report, law enforcement agency, or anti-corruption body has ever established, alleged, or even insinuated that I engaged in fraudulent conduct while in office. Any suggestion to the contrary is a blatant distortion of facts and a regrettable attempt to deflect attention from more substantive issues.

“For the avoidance of doubt, my exit from office was not predicated on any finding of wrongdoing. I served the Government and people of Bauchi State with diligence, transparency, and fidelity to the law, and I remain proud of my record in public service. I am, and have always been, ready—any day, any time—to render a full and detailed account of my stewardship as SSG to any competent authority or to the Nigerian public.”

He further stated that it is deeply troubling that in an attempt to explain or justify ongoing developments, false narratives are being projected against individuals who have dedicated years of their lives to the service of the state. 

He said that such claims do a disservice not only to personal reputations but also to the principles of fairness, accountability, and truth that should guide public discourse.

“In the coming days, I will fully address members of the press and the general public to clarify these matters comprehensively. At that time, I will respond in detail to this dastardly and cowardly deflection of issues, and place the facts—clearly and verifiably—before the court of public opinion. Talk is cheap, facts are sacred,” he said.