A Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Development Control, Stanley Buba, may likely bag a 14-year jail term if convicted of alleged forgery and fraud.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Buba had been suspended by the state House of Assembly on allegation of usurping the powers of the Managing Director Nasarawa Urban Development Board by issuing receipt.
Speaking with DAILY NIGEROIAN on Thursday, a legal practitioner, Barr. Abdulllahi Ubandoma, said the offence is punishable by 14-year jail term without option of fine.
Mr Ubandoma said that the offence of printing receipt is forgery and issuing approval without the approval of the head of the agency is impersonation “which is criminal in nature and carry jail terms of between one to 14 years, according to the Penal Code Law”.
He, however, said Mr Buba remains innocent until proven otherwise by a competent court of law, adding that since the house had not proven him guilty, tax payers can equally confront the state government to ensure that he is prosecuted.
Mr Ubandoma also faulted the state Assembly for asking Mr Buba to relocate his office to Karu Local Government Area, and suspending him without recourse to his principal.
He explained that, “the House can only recommend to the governor, but not to direct a government official because his appointment is at the pleasure of the state governor”.
The legal practitioner, however, cautioned the state governor to avoid favoritism in his conduct by treating all political appointees on the same level.
Mr Ubandoma, therefore urged the state governor to relive Mr Buba of his appointment in the same way he did to a former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Aliyu Tijjani, following the recommendation of the state Assembly.
