Gov. Lamido: My Son Not A Money Launderer

Gov. Sule Lamido

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa on Thursday in Dutse said that his son was not in anyway involved in money laundering.
He described the arrest of his eldest son, Aminu Lamido, 34, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering as “false and mischievous”.
Lamido’s son was arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the EFCC at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport with 50, 000 United States Dollars.

In a statement signed by Umar Kyari, Director of Press to the governor and made available to NAN in Dutse, Lamido said the arrested son was not involved in money laundering.
“The impression the EFCC gave to Sahara Reporters that he had been making several trips overseas on money laundering on my behalf is false and mischievous.
“For the purpose of removing the notion that he embarked on money laundering on my behalf, I find it necessary to clarify the allegation,” the statement said.
It explained that Aminu was taking his daughter to Cleopatra Hospital in Egypt for medical treatment.
According to the statement, the daughter was previously treated at the hospital and was to report back for follow up on her condition with her doctors.
Meanwhile, there was mixed reactions in Dutse over the arrest of the governor’s son by the EFCC.
A cross section of the residents who spoke to NAN said the incident had portrayed not only the son but the entire state in bad light.
Malam Saleh Ado told NAN that the arrest may not be unconnected to the alleged aspiration of Gov. Lamido to contest for the presidency in 2015.
”There are some people against Gov. Lamido’s presidential ambitions in 2015. So they will stop at nothing to deter him from achieving his aim.”
Another resident, Adamu Zai, said that “the people of the state are happy with the development because of the governor’s children involvement in the affairs of the government”.
Zai charged EFCC to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute him accordingly.
Malam Ali Shehu, a trader, blamed Lamido’s son for deceiving custom officials at the airport by declaring $10,000 instead of all the money he had on him.
Shehu said that though the governor has been doing well in the state, this episode would tarnish his image and that of the state.