A new twist has been added to the controversy surrounding underfire former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, after he was accused by incumbent Governor, Bello Matawalle of paying himself N360 million from the state’s pension funds two days to the end of his tenure.
It would be recalled that the former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, had written his successor, requesting N10 million monthly upkeep, in addition to his monthly pension as former governor. His action generated furore across the country.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that official documents and a bank statement have been made available to it. The money was paid from the state government’s gratuity funds under the pension sub-account with Zenith Bank branch in Gusau, the state capital.
The payments were made on May 27.
While the then outgoing deputy governor, Ibrahim Wakkala, was paid N175 million from the same account.
The document showed that Mr Yari was paid for “purchase of a house in Maitama, Abuja”, in what appears to be in compliance with the luxury pension law.
While assenting the repeal bill, Gov Matawalle said, “There is no reason whatsoever the state could afford to pay the past leaders a a whopping sum of N702 million annually to the detriment of dying pensioners in the state,”
In his reaction, Mr Yari said he was not bothered by the action of the state government in repealing the act.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Magaji denied the payment even when confronted with evidence including bank statements of the payment.
