Alleged Forgery: Gov Sule’s Aide Risks 14 Years Jail Term

BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA – Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Development Control to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Arc Stanley Buba, risk 14 years jailed term for alleged forgery and fraud.

Buba, the State acting chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), appeared before the State House of Assembly on allegation of usurping the powers of the Managing Director of the Nasarawa Urban Development Board and issuing receipts.

Buba, who accepted granting approvals, however said that the law establishing the Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB), states that the Managing Director is the head of the organization that has the final say but insisted that his schedule of duty includes issuing approvals.

He also denied allegations of collection of revenue as alleged by the House of Assembly which said that he had receipts in his office for revenue collection.

It was based on the allegation that the House set up a six man investigative committee to prove the allegation within three months.

A lawyer, Mr Abdulllahi Ubandoma Abdullahi Esq, who spoke to Forefront, said that the offence of forgery and impersonation carries a 14 years jail term without an option of fine.

Adullahi said that the offences of printing receipt is forgery and issuing approval without the approval of the  head of the agency is impersonation which is criminal in nature and carries a jail term of between one to 14 years, according to the Penal Code Law.

He however said that Buba remains innocent until proven otherwise by a competent court of law, adding that if the House of Assembly finds him guilty, it can confront the state government to ensure that he is prosecuted.

Abdullahi however faulted the State Assembly for asking Arc. Stanley Buba to relocate his office to Karu or suspend him without recourse to his principal.

According to him; “The House can only recommend to the governor but not to direct a government official because his appointment is at the pleasure of the state governor”.

Abdullahi advised the Governor Sule to avoid favoritism in his conduct by treating political appointees on the same level, adding that having accepted the  State Assembly’s recommendation to relieve the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Aliyu Tijjani, he ought to do the same with Buba who is his SSA.