By Anza Philips, Abuja Bureau
Monday, September 12, 2005

The Nasarawa State Police Command has absolved Governor Abdullahi Adamu of attempt to kill Mohammed Abdullahi, former attorney- general and commissioner for Justice of Nasarawa State. A national daily had recently in its lead story, credited one Mohammed Ibrahim, also known as Pele as having alleged that the governor had contracted him to kill the former attorney- general.

Mohammed Hadi Zarewa, police commissioner, Nasarawa State told Newswatch that police investigation has shown that Pele who has since been arrested said he did that with the aim of extorting money from the former AG.

Zarewa said Pele had on August 7, this year gone to the house of the former attorney-general and told the AG that he (Pele) is a member of a seven man gang assigned by the governor to eliminate the former AG. But that given his (Pele) love for the former AG, he would spare the latter's life on the condition the AG pays a sum of N150,000.00.

The parties, Newswatch learnt settled for N35,000.00. The Police commissioner said immediately the agreement on the amount was reached, the former AG immediately reported the incident to the Keffi Area Commander of the Police. Pele and the former AG were to meet at a location behind Total Filling Station in Keffi to collect the agreed amount.

Unknown to Pele, the Police Area Commander marked the money and had posted policemen who lay siege at the agreed venue. As soon as the money was handed over and Pele was about counting it, the police men who had laid siege emerged. Zarewa said Pele had tried to run but was arrested. He threw away the money, but N25,000.00 was finally recovered.

The Police Commissioner told Newswatch that during a search conducted in the house of the suspect, a locally made pistol, five live catridges, one long knife, a jack knife, one wild animal horn, and an army belt worn by the suspect to intimidate the former AG were recovered. He said Pele and the other members of his gang are being charged to court for extortion, unlawful possession of fire arms and injurious falsehood.

Pele told Newswatch that he did not at any time tell the police or the former AG that he was sent by Governor Abdullahi Adamu to kill anybody. He, however, admitted that he visited the former AG. But that the purpose was to console the former AG over the death of a relation, and to give a piece of advice as to the former commissioner's removal from office and that the commissioner asked that they meet later in the day since his (commissioner) house was not a good and proper venue for such discussion.

However, later that day when they met at the agreed venue, the commissioner, decided to offer him some money and that while he was counting the money the police came. He said nobody sent him and that he didn't know what the money was for. And that it was right there that he was arrested.

He admitted that he is a leader of thugs, but that he has never ever availed his services to anybody as an assassin. "Before me and my God, I didn't say the governor sent me to kill the former commissioner of justice. I can't remember haven told the former AG, or the police anything like that. I owe the governor a lot of gratitude. He is my father. He even sponsored my trip to Mecca recently. I am framed." Pele told Newswatch.

Mohammed Keffi, fomer Transition Committee Chairman for Keffi Local Government Council told Newswatch that Pele is fond of such activities. Keffi is the senior special assistant to Governor Abdullahi Adamu on Religious (Islamic) Affairs. He said Pele had once tried though unsuccessful to dupe him through such a method.

Pele is a staff of Keffi Local Government. He was employed by Mohammed Keffi. Newswatch learnt that among those duped by Pele in recent times is the present chairman of Nasarawa Local government Council.