Umar Farouk, a Deputy Director in the Niger State Ministry of Land Transportation, who was recently convicted for collecting a N11 million bribe, has reportedly been reinstated to his civil service position just two weeks after being sentenced to seven years in prison.
Investigation uncovered that despite the Niger State High Court’s judgment against Farouk, he was discreetly released from custody and has resumed his role in government, continuing to receive full salary and benefits during what was supposed to be his incarceration.
“How the case came up was that when I wanted to collect a contract from them, he demanded a bribe. When he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, I was relieved. But just two weeks later, I discovered he was out of prison,” the contractor who filed the initial petition told newsmen.
“When he was released after two weeks, the people concerned protested. They were sad; why would someone go to prison and be released within two weeks and even reinstated into the civil service? The protest led to his suspension, but after that, nothing else happened.”
“He is back working now like nothing happened. I was the one who filed the petition that led to his conviction. I’m shocked the government did not let him serve his sentence,” he added.
According to insiders, Farouk’s name was quietly added to a list of 104 inmates granted a pardon by the former administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello. However, this inclusion is believed to have been manipulated.
“Because they wanted to free him, they had to free 104 inmates alongside him. His name was smuggled into the document,” a source within the Niger State civil service alleged.
“This was orchestrated by a former Commissioner of Justice. The governor at the time was not even aware.”
Another source within the Ministry of Transportation confirmed, “During his time in prison, the government did not stop his salaries. He was being paid. Now he is back on the payroll as if nothing ever happened.”
SaharaReporters’ findings show that in the final week of his administration in 2023, Governor Bello pardoned 24 convicts and paid N20 million in fines for 80 others to facilitate their release.
It is alleged that this move was engineered by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice at the time, Nasara Danmallam—a close associate of Farouk.
“This was done between a former commissioner and Umar Farouk. They used to do these dirty deals together. That’s why they didn’t let him suffer in prison,” said another insider.
When reached for comment, Farouk confirmed his return to public service but denied any wrongdoing in the process of his release.
“I was not smuggled out of the prison, I was out of the prison by a process, not illegally,” he said.
When asked for details on that process, he declined to elaborate.
“Go and meet my superior, the State Head of Service. You know I am under someone,” he stated.
Hadiza Idris Kuta, the current Commissioner for Transport, also confirmed Farouk’s reinstatement.
“I also investigated the matter. I was told the man was out of prison because he was pardoned. That was done by the past government,” she said.
“I know he is reinstated into the civil service but he is no longer in my ministry.”
She refused to disclose what position Farouk now holds in the civil service.
Farouk’s initial conviction stemmed from a prolonged trial prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He was charged in 2020 with multiple counts of gratification and abuse of office for accepting N11 million from a contractor in exchange for awarding a state contract.
“The accused person is standing trial on a 7-count charge for the offences of gratification by an official and using office or position for gratification contrary to Sections 8(1)(a)(ii) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000,” the judgment read.
“I find the accused person guilty as charged on all counts… Accordingly, the convict is sentenced to imprisonment for 7 years for each of the offences in counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.”
