The Presidency has dissociated President Muhammadu Buhari from Gimba Yau Kumo, who was recently declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in connection with a $56 million fraud.

The ICPC yesterday began a manhunt for Kumo over alleged fraud bordering on misappropriation of National Housing Funds and diversion of the sum of $65m committed with two others, while he was the Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

Some national dailies and online media platforms had claimed that Yau Kumo was a son-in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari, having allegedly been married to one of his daughters, Fatima, since 2016.

The Presidency in a statement issued Friday said "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 Presidents 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.”

Kumo’s tenure at FMBN was characterised by allegations of corruption.

It was alleged that the fleeing former boss of FMBN and three others paid themselves outrageous severance packages at the end of their tenure in October 2014.

Last month, the senate committee on public accounts summoned Kumo to explain the alleged irregular award of N3 billion contract when he was still at the bank.