The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)has arrested a former governor of Jigawa State, Senator Saminu Turaki.
Turaki was picked up at the Abuja venue of a public presentation of a book on late Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, first regular combatant officer in the Nigerian Army.
Before the arrest, EFCC had declared Turaki wanted for failing to present himself for trial since 2011, on 36-count corruption charges before the Federal High Court in Dutse. The court had issued a warrant directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) or his officers and the EFCC to arrest Turaki and bring him before the court.
Justice S. Yahuza gave the order after Turaki consistently failed to attend trial. But, attempts to execute the warrant failed as Turaki remained elusive.
On May 19, 2016, operatives of the commission, acting on a tip-off, stormed the 16 Denis Osadebey Street Asokoro, Abuja home of the former governor, but he slipped through their hands. Turaki faces multiple charges bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.
He was elected senator after his tenure as governor of Jigawa state for eight years.