By Sylvanus Viashima
JALINGO – Taraba state Governor Agbu Kefas has appointed former Chairman of Takum local government council Mr. Shiban Tikari, a suspect, wanted by the police for alleged involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Late Mr. Hosea Ibbi, former member representing Takum 1 at Taraba State House of Assembly.
Tikari was appointed alongside 132 others, including former Speakers of the State House of Assembly, former Commissioners and top notch politicians in the state, variously as Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Community Special Assistants or Heads and Members of Boards, Commissions and Agencies.
However, the inclusion of Tikari, who has been at large over his alleged involvement in the murder of former Taraba state lawmaker Hosea Ibbi who was abducted at gunpoint in Takum and was later kill on the 30th of December 2017 has sparked outrage with many accessing the governor of accommodating murderers in his government and aiding them to evade the law
The Taraba State Commissioner of Police Mr. David Iloyanmon on the 25th of April, 2024, while briefing journalists at the police command in Jalingo the state capital, said the police have been on the trail of the former chairman since the State Chief Judge made public declaration for his arrest.
“We are looking for him. We recently gathered that he has left the state, we have been trying to arrest him for possible prosecution, anywhere he is, we must get him arrested, it’s just a matter of time. The police commissioner said.
Surprisingly, Governor Kefas while announcing the names of his aides, the former local government chairman was among those to be sworn in to pilot affairs of the state.
A press Statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS) Barr. Gibon Kataps, stated that “approval of appointments as Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Community Special Assistants, members of boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba State government part 1.
“His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, The Governor of Taraba State has approved the appointment of the following to occupy the above Offices, Departments and Agencies in the first instance” the SGS stated while he captured the name of Tikari as one of the appointees.
The appointment of Tikari have since generated tension among the family members of the late lawmaker Hon. Hosea Ibbi who have express shock over the decision of the governor to include the former chairman in his government despite his alleged involvement in the murder of their relative.
A family member who spoke to journalists in confidence for security reasons urge the governor to reverse his decision on appointment of Tikari to allow him to face trial in a court of law as earlier suggested by the State Chief Judge Justice Joel Agya at the State High Court recently.