By Friday Alhassan
The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC), a prominent South West socio-cultural organisation, has issued a stern two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding that anti-corruption agencies immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into serving Senator Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari over allegations of illegal mining activities, questionable investments, and unexplained wealth accumulation.
The group warned that failure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant anti-graft agencies to act within the stipulated timeframe would compel it to explore legal options and mobilise peaceful protests across the country to demand accountability.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Comrade Eric Oluwole, the council said its position was informed by intelligence and reports received from the Zamfara Concerned Youth Assembly for Peace Advocacy, which allegedly uncovered suspicious financial dealings linked to the former Zamfara State governor.
The statement urged relevant authorities to critically examine Senator Yari’s asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon his assumption of office as governor in 2011 and juxtapose them with his current assets and sprawling 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. We cannot sit idly by while allegations of this magnitude are swept under the carpet,” the statement read in part.
The group maintained that a thorough forensic investigation was non-negotiable to determine whether the former governor’s current wealth and investments were consistent with his legitimate earnings and publicly known sources of income.
Allegations Of Illegal Mining And Dubious Investments
Among the weighty issues raised by the council were allegations directly linking Yari to illegal mining activities in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi states, as well as concerns over his reported multi-billion naira investments across various sectors of the economy.
The YYC specifically called for intensified scrutiny of alleged business interests connected to the former governor, including reported acquisitions in the power sector and entities allegedly associated with him and members of his family.
The organisation also urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate claims involving AJAP Financial Services Limited and other financial transactions allegedly linked to the senator, questioning the sources of funds used for such investments.
According to the statement, serious 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 his immediate family members.
The council further expressed deep concerns over what it described as the unprecedented and rapid expansion of the former governor’s business interests after leaving office, including alleged investments in the aviation sector, which it claimed demanded urgent explanation.
It alleged 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 astronomical scale of his reported investments a matter requiring immediate investigation.
The group also called for a comprehensive probe into allegations that the former governor may have links to illegal mining networks operating in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi states, which have been notorious for banditry and illicit mineral exploitation.
It referenced previous and recent anti-smuggling operations involving the seizure of gold and arrests connected to alleged illegal mineral exports, claiming that investigators must determine whether any links exist between those activities and the former governor.
No Going Back On Demand For Justice
The YYC stressed that only a comprehensive and impartial investigation by relevant authorities could establish the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations, adding that Nigerians deserved to know the truth.
The organisation warned in clear terms that if anti-graft agencies fail to act within two weeks, it would consider legal options and mobilise peaceful protests to demand accountability from both the accused and the investigating authorities.
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Yari had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the statement, and efforts to reach his media aides proved abortive.
The development adds to the growing chorus of calls for transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, which has been plagued by allegations of illicit mining and revenue leakages.
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