BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other anti-corruption agencies to investigate former Zamfara State governor and serving senator, Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari, over allegations relating to illegal mining activities, questionable investments, and the sources of his wealth.
The group also gave the anti-graft agencies a two-week ultimatum to commence action on the allegations, warning that it could resort to legal action and nationwide protests if no steps are taken.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Comrade Eric Oluwole, the council said its position was based on information and reports allegedly received from the Zamfara Concerned Youth Assembly for Peace Advocacy.
According to the statement, the council urged relevant authorities to examine Senator Yari’s asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon his assumption of office as governor in 2011 and compare them with his current assets and business interests.
“The strongest philosophy of the Yoruba Youth Council is to always join other ethnic youth groups in our country to work for a better Nigeria,” the statement said.
The group maintained that a thorough investigation was necessary to determine whether the former governor’s current wealth and investments were consistent with his legitimate earnings and publicly known sources of income.
Among the issues raised by the council were allegations linking Yari to illegal mining activities and concerns over his reported investments in various sectors of the economy.
The YYC specifically called for scrutiny of alleged business interests connected to the former governor, including reported acquisitions in the power sector and entities allegedly associated with him.
The organisation also urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate claims involving AJAP Financial Services Limited and other financial transactions allegedly linked to the senator.
According to the statement, questions have also been raised regarding the reported acquisition of a controlling stake in Geregu Power Plc through MA’AM Energy Limited, a company the group alleged is connected to Yari and members of his family.
The council further expressed concerns over what it described as the rapid expansion of the former governor’s business interests after leaving office, including alleged investments in the aviation sector.
It claimed that when Yari assumed office as governor in 2011, some of his properties had reportedly been used as collateral for loans obtained to fund his election campaign, making the subsequent scale of his reported investments a matter requiring investigation.
The group also called for a probe into allegations that the former governor may have links to illegal mining networks operating in Zamfara, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
It referenced previous and recent anti-smuggling operations involving the seizure of gold and arrests connected to alleged illegal mineral exports, claiming that investigators should determine whether any links exist between those activities and the former governor.
The YYC stressed that only a comprehensive investigation by relevant authorities could establish the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations.
The organisation warned that if anti-graft agencies fail to act within two weeks, it would consider legal options and mobilise peaceful protests to demand accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Yari had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the statement.
