Senator Shehu Buba Umar, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, has volunteered to face investigations by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing and kidnapping.
Umar made this known on Monday at a press conference, where he denied the allegations and challenged those accusing him of criminal activities to submit evidence to the appropriate security agencies.
The senator described the allegations as politically motivated and defamatory, saying he had chosen to make himself available for scrutiny rather than allow the claims to continue circulating without being tested against credible evidence.
He disclosed that his legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, had formally written to the DSS, DIA and Police, requesting comprehensive investigations into the allegations.
Umar said his decision was aimed at ensuring that the claims against him were handled through established investigative and legal processes, rather than social media speculation.
“I categorically and unequivocally deny these allegations. I have never sponsored, financed, armed, facilitated, or supported banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, or any criminal organisation or activities whatsoever,” he said.
The senator urged politicians, activists, social media influencers, journalists and other Nigerians who claimed to possess evidence against him to submit such materials to investigators.
He said the allegations should not be determined by edited videos, insinuations, propaganda or anonymous claims circulated on social media.
“Do not hide behind social Media. Do not rely on edited videos, insinuations, propaganda, or anonymous allegations. Take whatever evidence you have to the appropriate security agencies and allow the law to take its course,” Umar said.
He also called on the security agencies to invite those making the allegations and require them to substantiate their claims with credible evidence capable of withstanding investigative scrutiny.
Umar said he was prepared to cooperate fully with the DSS, Police, DIA, military and other competent institutions to establish whether there was any substance to the allegations.
He added that he had also made himself available to relevant international organisations, including Amnesty International, over concerns that might have arisen from the claims.
The Bauchi senator stressed that he was not seeking preferential treatment from any institution, insisting that the allegations should be subjected to the same investigative standards applicable to any other person.
“My position is simple: let every allegation be subjected to impartial scrutiny, let every piece of evidence be examined, and let the truth prevail,” he said.
Umar further pledged to face prosecution if investigators established a prima facie case against him on the basis of credible and verifiable evidence.
He said he would accept the consequences of the law if a competent court eventually found him guilty, describing his willingness to undergo investigation as a demonstration of his confidence in his innocence.
The senator linked the allegations to his previous responsibilities as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
According to him, the position required regular engagements with military, intelligence and other security agencies on issues including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other threats to national security.
He expressed concern that some of those legitimate and sensitive engagements could have been distorted and portrayed as evidence of relationships with criminal elements.
Umar said the investigation would provide an opportunity for the relevant institutions to examine the allegations, establish the facts and determine whether there was any credible basis for the claims.
He maintained that his decision to submit himself to the security agencies was aimed at protecting the integrity of the investigative process and ensuring that the allegations were resolved through evidence and due process.
The senator urged Nigerians to allow the security agencies and the courts, rather than social media platforms, to determine the facts surrounding the allegations.
He expressed confidence that a thorough and impartial investigation would establish the truth.
