By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The accusation of N50,000 bribery demand out of N500,000 gift from Kebbi State government to the mosque committee of the Wala Jumuat Mosque in Birnin Kebbi, the state’s capital, has continue to generate controversy.
On Monday, Bello Dankulu, one of the persons who went to deliver the money at the mosque denied accusation of the former chief iman of the mosque, Ahmad Ibrahim Bashar Wala who recently resigned his appointment over allegation of being denied of the money.
NationsPride had reported that Imam Wala recently resigned from his position saying he was shortchanged by the state government who paid the sum of N500,000 to his deputy instead of paying it directly to his bank account. He also accused those who brought the money of demanding N50,000 bribe before the money would be given to him.
Read more: Kebbi Government tackles Imam on claims of political victimisation
But speaking to our correspondent in Birnin Kebbi, Bello Dankulu said the former chief imam was not even at the mosque when the money was given and so cannot claim anyone actually demanded for bribe.
He revealed that they did not meet the imam when they went to deliver the money but gave it to his deputy, Malam Muhammadu Yahya Nataalah, in the presence of some mosque committee.
“They took the money from us and signed against the name of the mosque acknowledging receipt”, he revealed.
He added that the anger of the former chief imam is because the usual thing was not done; that is, sending money directly to his account without the knowledge of his deputy and other committee members, while he spends the money alone.
“We have evidence of previous money sent directly to his account, which he has not informed or share with his deputies and mosque committee members. Let him come out clean”, Malam Nataalah.