Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has filed a suit against the Sokoto State Government over its alleged failure to release the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that probed his administration. The suit, marked SS/133/2026, was filed before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court 6, through his counsel, U.O. Sule, SAN. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the Ahmed Aliyu administration to investigate the activities, financial transactions and other matters relating to the Tambuwal administration from 2015 to 2023.
The Commission, chaired by a former Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, concluded its sittings and submitted its report to the government, but Tambuwal claims he has not been given a copy. In the originating summons, Tambuwal asked the court to compel the defendants to make available to him the full report of the Commission to enable him know the findings and recommendations against him, if any. He argued that having submitted himself to the inquiry and participated in the process, he was entitled as a matter of law and natural justice to know the outcome of the proceedings.
According to Tambuwal, access to the report is necessary for him to prepare his response and exercise his constitutional right to fair hearing, should there be any adverse findings. The defendants in the suit are the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Sokoto State Commission of Inquiry. The case has now brought the lingering dispute over the probe report before judicial scrutiny and placed the state government under pressure to justify its continued retention of the document.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the activities of the Tambuwal administration during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Sokoto State. The Commission's report is expected to contain findings and recommendations on the administration's activities and financial transactions. By not releasing the report, the state government has come under criticism for its transparency and accountability.
Tambuwal, who governed Sokoto State between 2015 and 2023, had challenged what he described as the deliberate withholding of the report by the government of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. The court has now become the avenue for Tambuwal to seek redress and obtain a copy of the report. The Senator's decision to go to court has significant implications for the state's governance and accountability.
The court has fixed November 9, 2026, for hearing in the suit. The outcome of the case will determine whether the state government is obligated to release the report to Tambuwal. If the court rules in favor of Tambuwal, it could set a precedent for transparency and accountability in the state's governance.
The case highlights the tensions between the state government and Tambuwal over the probe report. The state government's continued retention of the document has raised questions about its intentions and motivations. The court's decision will be crucial in resolving the dispute and promoting transparency in the state's governance.
Key points
- - The case has been filed before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court 6. - The court has fixed November 9, 2026, for hearing in the suit. - Tambuwal is seeking a copy of the report to prepare his response and exercise his constitutional right to fair hearing.
