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From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has appointed former chairman of Takum Local Government Area, Shiban Tikari, a suspect, wanted by the police for alleged involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the late Hosea Ibbi, a 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 for his alleged involvement in the murder of former Taraba state lawmaker, Ibbi, who was abducted at gunpoint in Takum and was later killed on December 30, 2017 has sparked outrage with many accusing the governor of accommodating murderers in his government and aiding them to evade the law
State Commissioner of Police, David Iloyanmon, on April 25, 2024, while briefing newsmen 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 is 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.
Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Gibon Kataps, in a statement, said: “Governor Kefas has approved the appointments of the following, including Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Community Special Assistants, members of boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba State government part 1, in the first instance,” while he captured the name of Tikari as one of the appointees.
The appointment of Tikari has since generated tension among the family members of Ibbi, who have expressed 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 newsmen in confidence for security reasons urged 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, Joel Agya, at the state High Court, recently.
