IS BUHARI FIGHTING CORRUPTION? The Case of Mallam Ibrahim Tumsah Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing

Why is Buhari government protecting the biggest thief in the civil service? That's the question on the lips on many Nigerians. 

Mallam Ibrahim Tumsah is the current Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing where he has held sway for over 10 years now.

When alerted with a petition dated 16th August 2015, the DSS discovered that  the Director controls an empire of over N22 billion in various  company accounts, 86 exotic cars, 40 houses, a state of the art quarry plant located in Kuje, a leather manufacturing factory located at No. 22, I.T Igbani Street, Jabi, Abuja, Egg crates manufacturing factory located at Kakuri Makera, Kaduna, a large farm located along Biu-Damaturu Road (Gujba) in Yobe State, and many others; Buhari merely referred it to Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla for prosecution.

Obla was frustrated by Minister Fashola's refusal to cooperate in the prosecution of the biggest thief in the civil service and under his nose. Obla confided in some persons that he almost lost his job and his life while prosecuting the case.

Tumsah also owns many properties in Dubai including a 5-star hotel which he bought in 2016 where he spends most of his weekends. He "cleaned" government treasury at that time when Buhari refused to appoint ministers and even fought a permanent secretary until he single-handedly sent the Perm Sec packing. 

Tumsah is still in the service even when he was supposed to retire five years ago. He has remained because of his criminal relationship with the Buhari government. 

"His wealth is more than the resources of four northern states put together," quoted an Arewa Youth group which have consistently petitioned Tumsah and other corrupt northern leaders in government. His "boy" and former PA; Ahmed Idris is now his boss as Accountant General of the Federation and so he does not get sanctions. Tumsah fronts for Fashola, executing big contracts through cronies and collecting kickbacks and remitting in foreign currencies. 

 

Recently the Chief of Staff to Buhari, Abba Kyari was under pressure to remove him and ordered his suspension but the AGF and Fashola stopped the move, with AGF stating that the thievery director has promised to help fund Buhari's 2019 campaign.  

But Tumsah had after a bout of alcohol with some ladies in Dubai boasted that nobody can remove him.  His driver in Dubai named Mutallab, known to all his women bought a house in that country. He makes money stealing hard currencies from him and organising ladies for him.