By Khalid Idris Doya
Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar, popularly known as Babayo Liman, has refuted allegations that he simultaneously held appointments with the federal government and the Bauchi State government at the same time while receiving salaries from both positions.
Responding on Tuesday through his counsel, Nathan Umide Esq., Babayo Liman described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation before right-thinking members of society.
Liman who is Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on internal security, said "We had expected those spreading these rumours to await an official response or report from either the Federal Government of Nigeria or the Bauchi State Government, from whom they claim our client received salaries."
According to him, the two tiers of government mentioned in the allegations are the appropriate authorities to comment on the matter, rather than individuals who are not privy to the internal workings of either institution.
"The Bauchi State Government and the Federal Government are the proper authorities to address this issue. Individuals and groups without access to the facts should refrain from making unfounded claims," he stated.
The counsel urged those behind the allegations to await the outcome of their petitions to the relevant authorities instead of spreading what he described as false narratives.
He further warned that defamation of character is a punishable offence under Nigerian law and said his client would not hesitate to seek legal redress against anyone involved in what he termed "A calculated attempt to destroy a person's reputation."
Babayo Liman, through his counsel, said he had received numerous calls from friends, relatives and associates regarding what he described as damaging rumours originating from the law firm of G. Hassan & Co. in Bauchi.
Umide explained that his client had initially refrained from responding publicly but was compelled to do so following increased public attention to the matter.
He added that relevant documents relating to the allegations had already been submitted to the Bauchi State Government and maintained that his client was not indebted to the federal government in any form during the period of his political appointment.
"Our client is not indebted to the Federal Government in any way, form or manner during the period of his political appointment, contrary to the claims being circulated," the counsel said.
The response follows a petition reportedly submitted by the non-governmental organisation, Community Rescue Initiative (CRI), calling on relevant authorities to investigate allegations that Babayo Liman simultaneously held appointments with the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government while allegedly receiving salaries and allowances from both positions.
In the petition signed by its counsel, A.S. Idris Esq., the organisation alleged that Babayo Liman serves as Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), Salary Grade Level 14, under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and is posted to the Accounts Department of the Federal Ministry of Works in Jos, Plateau State.
The petitioners urged relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and determine whether any laws or public service regulations had been violated.
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