The Presidency has publicly dissociated President Buhari from Gimba Yau Kumo, saying his marriage to Fatima Buhari has broken down.
Gimba Yau Kumo, the former managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank married Fatima, second daughter of Buhari’s first wife, Safinatu got married to Kumo at a well attended ceremony in Daura in October 2016.
Kumo was declared wanted alongside two others on Thursday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a $65 million fraud.
The secret of the troubled marriage which has been kept off the radar was blown up on Friday night by a statement from the Presidency that Kumo is no longer a son-in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aso Rock was not happy with headlines describing Kumo as a son-in-law of Buhari.
A statement by Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, declared Kumo a persona non-grata of sort, who “allegedly have been married to one of his daughters, Fatima, since 2016”.
Shehu described the attempt to link the alleged fraudster as “an attempt to generate views and sell copies of sensational reporting”.
According to the statement, the said marriage ended sometime back, without indicating the exact date it collapsed.
The Presidency said the move by the ICPC only supports the authenticity of the administration’s fight against corruption, not minding who is involved.
“This should normally be an affirmation that our anti-corruption agencies/institutions are truly independent and allowed unfettered freedom by the President. Which in fact is the case.
“That a state institution can issue such is a measure of the administration’s commitment to accountability, equality and justice.
“To set the records straight, the person declared wanted by the ICPC is not an in-law to President Buhari.
“While at some point in time the said fugitive from justice had been linked to a family member in marriage, that relationship has ended some years ago.
“It is therefore unfortunate to bring the President’s family into this case.It is in our view an attempt to generate views and sell copies of sensational reporting.
“The President’s position at all times is that the law be allowed to take its course. As is well known of him, President Muhammadu Buhari will not provide any cover for crime, no matter who is involved,” the statement read.
Gimba Yau Kumo, 61 years old, was the managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank for five years. He was first appointed in 2010.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan renewed the appointment in January 2015 before he quit the office.
However, he became one of the CEOs of government companies sacked by Buhari in February 2016, along with 25 other Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).
He was out of the bank in 2016, when he married Fatima Buhari.
The ICPC in declaring him wanted said he is wanted in connection with issues bordering on misappropriation of National Housing Funds and diversion of the sum of Sixty Five Million dollars ($65,000,000).
The anti-graft agency also declared two other persons wanted for the same scam.
They are Mr. Tarry Rufus and Mr. Bola Ogunsola.
