View source for Ibrahim Saminu Turaki

{{Short description|Nigerian politician (born 1963)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Ibrahim Saminu Turaki
| image               = 
| image_size          = 
| smallimage          = 
| alt                 = 
| caption             = 
| office1             = [[Senate of Nigeria|Senator]] for [[Jigawa State|Jigawa North-West]]
| term_start1         = 5 June 2007
| term_end1           = 6 June 2011
| predecessor1        = Dalha Ahmed Danzomo
| successor1          = [[Danladi Abdullahi Sankara]]
| office2            = [[Governor of Jigawa State]]
| deputy2             = {{ubl|Shehu Kwatalo<br>(1999–2001)|Ubali Shittu<br>(Jan–Dec 2002)|[[Ibrahim Hadejia]]<br>(2003–2007)}}
| term_start2         = 29 May 1999
| term_end2           = 29 May 2007
| predecessor2        = [[Abubakar Maimalari]]
| successor2          = [[Sule Lamido]]
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1963|07|14|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Kazaure]], [[Northern Region, Nigeria|Northern Region]] (now in [[Jigawa State]]), Nigeria
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| nationality         = [[Nigerian]]
| party               = [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]]<br>(2006–2010; 2014–2015; 2022–present)
| otherparty          = {{plainlist|
* [[Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Social Democratic Party]]<br>(1990–1993)
* [[United Nigeria Congress Party]]<br>(1997–1998)
* [[All People's Party (Nigeria)|All People's Party]]<br>(1998–2002)
* [[All Nigerian Peoples Party]]<br>(2002–2006)
* [[Action Congress of Nigeria]]<br>(2010–2014)
* [[All Progressives Congress]]<br>(2015–2022)
}}
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
| parents             = 
| relations           = 
| residence           = 
| education           = 
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|actuary|public figure}}
| alma_mater          = [[Ahmadu Bello University]]
| profession          = 
| religion            = 
| website             = {{url|saminuturaki.com}}
| footnotes           = 
}}

'''Ibrahim Saminu Turaki''' (born 14 July 1963) is a [[Nigerian]] actuary and politician who served as the [[governor of Jigawa State]] from 1999 to 2007.<ref name="premiumtimesng.com">{{cite web | website=premiumtimesng.com | url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/236123-exclusive-ex-jigawa-governor-saminu-turaki-spend-minimum-77-days-detention.html?tztc=1 | access-date=2023-06-10}}</ref> Prior to that, he was the Jigawa state chairman of the defunct [[Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Social Democratic Party]] (SDP) and [[United Nigeria Congress Party]] (UNCP). He was the senator representing Jigawa North-West senatorial district from 2007 to 2011.<ref name=nassnig>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nassnig.org/senate/member.php?senator=74
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205549/http://www.nassnig.org/senate/member.php?senator=74
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=3 March 2016
 |title=Sen. Ibrahim S. Turaki
 |publisher=National Assembly of Nigeria
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>

==Background==
Ibrahim Saminu Turaki was born on 14 July 1963. He attended the Federal Government College Kaduna and the [[Ahmadu Bello University]] where he obtained a bachelor's degree in actuarial science in 1985. He is currently the PDP Candidate for the Jigawa North-West Senatorial District for the 2023 general elections.<ref name=chat>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.chatafrikarticles.com/articles/1424/1/Saminu-Turakis-Weird-Kites/Page1.html
 |title       = Saminu Turaki's Weird Kites
 |publisher   = ChatAfrik
 |date        = 1 June 2008
|access-date  = 4 October 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081024165419/http://www.chatafrikarticles.com/articles/1424/1/Saminu-Turakis-Weird-Kites/Page1.html
 |archive-date = 24 October 2008
}}</ref>

==Governor of Jigawa State==
[[image:NigeriaJigawa.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Jigawa State]], Nigeria]]
He was governor of Jigawa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He was elected in the [[1999 Jigawa State gubernatorial election]] and re-elected during the [[2003 Jigawa State gubernatorial election]] on the platform of the [[All Nigeria People's Party]] (ANPP).<ref name=nassnig/> In December 2006, he transferred his allegiance to the [[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]] (PDP).<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.menas.co.uk/pubsamples/Nigeria%20Politics%20%20and%20%20Security%20-%2029.12.06.pdf
 |title       = Nigeria Politics & Security
 |date        = 29 December 2006
|publisher   = Menas
 |access-date  = 4 October 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003034019/http://www.menas.co.uk/pubsamples/Nigeria%20Politics%20%20and%20%20Security%20-%2029.12.06.pdf
 |archive-date = 3 October 2011
}}</ref> Turaki joined Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2015, reuniting with his former ally and the current governor of Jigawa, [[Mohammed Badaru Abubakar]]

==ICT reforms==
Turaki championed the development of ICT stressing the importance in nation building and that was largely one of his priorities as a governor. He established what was known as the biggest biotechnology centers in Nigeria then in Kazaure, a town situated outside the state capital, [[Dutse]]. Some of these attracted the number one British developmental agency, [[Department for International Development|DFID]] to co-fund the Jigawa State microcredit scheme to provide funding for small scale businesses. The DFID also partnered with the then state government to sponsor its student for extensive education on informatics abroad, mostly in [[Japan]].

He initiated the Jigawa State Broadband Network Project because of his government's desire for rapid socio-economic growth of the young state and global competitiveness in the areas of acquisition, absorption and application of Information Technology. The project is a satellite-based communication facility for delivery of a broad range of multimedia services incorporating video, audio and data to every organization. It was also meant to facilitate the business of government, education, commerce, training and health systems of the state.

Turaki founded the Galaxy Information Technology and Telecommunication (GITT) in the year 2000, barely a year into his first term as governor. GalaxyITT became the first broadband satellite network in Nigeria. This made Jigawa the first state in Nigeria to commence interactive distance learning program and video conferencing through GITT.

He established the Jigawa Informatics Institute (JII) in 2001 and in less than eight years of its establishment, the Institute proved that its introduction in the heyday of the ICT dream is the wisest and critical aspect of the much touted ICT revolution initiated by his administration. Since its establishment in 2001, about 7,000 students have graduated and many of them are today either part of the emerging e-government sector or part of an entrepreneurial community setting up small ICT businesses in Jigawa. State as well as other parts of the country. Turaki had pursued ICT with unique commitment by investing billions of Naira on his pronounced dream to convert Jigawa State into the number one ICT state in Nigeria. He was however criticized in that his administration pursuit of this ICT dream was greatly misplaced. His critics believe that the investment is not worthwhile considering the poor state of infrastructure in the state. They claim the investment should be diverted to other sectors like agriculture and health.

==Trade==
In 2000, Turaki established a free trade zone in Jigawa (the first to be achieved by any state in the country at the time), to facilitate doing business and to attract prospective investors both foreign and local.

In June 2003, Turaki said Jigawa had entered into agreements with American companies to start processing and exporting high-grade [[gum arabic]] to the [[United States]], replacing imports from the [[Sudan]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13418089.html
 |title=Nigeria, US sign gum arabic export agreement
 |publisher=Xinhua News Agency Article
 |date=13 June 2003
|access-date=4 October 2009}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
An article in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' on 2 March 2004 described an arrangement with [[Rosa Whitaker]], a US Trade Representative for Africa, with whom he formed a Trade and Investment Foundation for Africa to attract Foreign Direct Investment for [[gum arabic]] production.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/bello/072407.html
 |title=TURAKI WANTED THE WORLD TO KNOW JIGAWA
 |date=24 July 2007
 |publisher=Nigeriaworld
 |access-date=4 October 2009
 |archive-date=16 July 2011
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716031418/http://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/bello/072407.html
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-02-na-whitaker2-story.html
 |title=Connections Work for Ex-Trade Official
 |author=Ken Silverstein
 |date=2 March 2004
|work=Los Angeles Times
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>

In 2004, the [[Niger Republic]], which was due to host a summit of [[francophone]] countries in [[Niamey]] gave Wallong Camco Nigeria, a company in which Turaki had an interest, free land in exchange for building 86 housing units to accommodate visiting foreign dignitaries. In November 2008, Turaki was involved in a dispute over contract terms for sale of these units.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200811170973.html
 |title=Senator Turaki Faces Legal Action in Niger Republic - Over 86 Housing Units
 |date=16 November 2008
|publisher=Daily Trust
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>

==Electricity milestones==
Taking cognizance of the importance of electricity in the success of any form of development, Turaki established various solar powered power plants of up to 7.5 MW at various local government areas at a time most state governments and indeed the Federal Government has not even mulled the idea investing in renewable energy sources. This prompted [[CNN]] to feature Jigawa State in its programme ''Global Challenges'' acknowledging the governor's developmental strides and the effects on the lives of the Jigawa citizens. The short documentary was aired on 25 November 2006 and earned Turaki accolades from his peers in Nigeria and around the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=GLOBAL CHALLENGES: Solar Power Helps Nigerian Villages; etc. |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/gc/date/2006-11-25/segment/01 |website=CNN.com |date=25 November 2006 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803170848/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0611/25/gc.01.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education reforms==
Jigawa state pioneered the [[Universal Basic Education]] (UBEC) to ensure compulsory basic education for pupils and students in the state which was later adopted by the then federal government. The state became the first to introduce the contributory pensions scheme in 2001, long before [[Lagos State]] in 2004 and subsequently the federal government in 2006. During this same era, Jigawa State introduced the first housing mortgage by any state of the federation with the establishment of Jigawa Savings and Loans bank to cover mortgage for intending house owners thereby drastically tackling the problem of housing in the state. Some of these laudable feats earned the state the label "Jigawa, a State of Firsts".

==Security==
In his quest for the development of Jigawa State, Turaki declared that security, safety and justice are interrelated and should be taken seriously as important prerequisites for economic wellbeing of its residents. He quickly practicalised his idea by the establishment of the Jigawa State Justice Sector and Law Reform Commission through a law enacted in 2006 and which qualifies as the first successful and currently the most advanced justice sector reform and coordination mechanism in the country.

Turaki also pioneered the formal recognition and reform of the vigilante system in the state through the enactment of the Jigawa State Vigilante Group Law No. 5 of 2005 that enabled government support and regulate and also the police supervision of the nearly 20,000-strong Jigawa Vigilante Group.

In September 2006, Turaki was attacked by angry crowds when he tried to calm down a mob that burned churches and shops belonging to Christians after an alleged blasphemous statement by a Christian woman about the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-09/Angry-Muslims-Burn-Churches-in-Nigeria.cfm?moddate=2006-09-21
 |title=Angry Muslims Burn Churches in Nigeria
 |author=Gilbert da Costa 
 |date=21 September 2006
|publisher=Voice of America
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref>

==Pension Reforms==
Turaki established the Jigawa State contributory pension scheme in 2001 and received legal backing from the state legislature in 2004. Prior to the establishment of the scheme, Jigawa State workers were going through pains and finding it difficult to access their entitlements. The contributions by both employees and the state have a gestation period of five years before employees could draw benefits. The contributory pension scheme in Jigawa State was the first of its kind in Nigeria and provided an opportunity for the state employees to contribute into their retirement future. The scheme mandates the state government to contribute 17 per cent of an employee's basic salary into the employee's retirement savings account, RSA, while employees contribute 8 per cent of their basic salary.

==Senator==
In April 2007, he ran for the Senate as a member of the PDP and was elected for the Jigawa North West constituency. He was appointed to committees on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Sports, Navy, National Planning and National Identity Card & Population.<ref name=nassnig/> A May 2009 report said he had not originated any bills, but had co-sponsored six motions. He was active in the Sports Committee where he was vice chairman.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200905250350.html?page=3
 |title=An Improved Senate, But Some Uninspiring Senators...
 |date=24 May 2009
|publisher=This Day
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>
Turaki wanted to run for reelection in April 2011, but the PDP favored [[Danladi Abdullahi Sankara]], PDP vice chairman in charge of the Northwest as their candidate. Turaki therefore defected to the [[Action Congress of Nigeria]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/22105-lamidoturaki-from-politics-to-court 
 |title=Lamido/Turaki: From politics to court 
 |work=[[Nigerian Tribune]] 
 |author=Adamu Amadu 
 |date=18 May 2011 |access-date=17 June 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329061017/http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/22105-lamidoturaki-from-politics-to-court 
 |archive-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref>
In the April 2011 elections, Danladi was the winner. Turaki declared that there had been vote-rigging and he intended to take the case to court.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.compassnewspaper.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4897:allegation-of-rigging-against-me-frivolous-says-senator-elect-&catid=44:political-news&Itemid=610
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214172203/http://www.compassnewspaper.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4897:allegation-of-rigging-against-me-frivolous-says-senator-elect-&catid=44:political-news&Itemid=610
 |url-status=usurped
 |archive-date=14 February 2016
 |title=Allegation of rigging against me frivolous, says Senator-elect
 |date=26 April 2011
|work=[[Nigerian Compass]]
 |author=TED ODOGWU
 |access-date=17 June 2011}}</ref>

==Other notable reforms==
In 2000, Turaki decentralized the Jigawa state government, allocating many aspects to the five Emirate councils of Hadejia, Dutse, Gumel, Ringim and Kazaure.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.thesourceng.com/lamidojune18.htm
 |date        = 18 June 2007
|title       = Lamido: Great expectations, many problems
 |publisher   = The Source Magazine
 |access-date  = 4 October 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090107000209/http://www.thesourceng.com/lamidojune18.htm
 |archive-date = 7 January 2009
}}</ref>

==Alleged Financial Irregularities and Aqcuital==
A 2006 report said he was involved in acquiring companies in Nigeria's insurance industry for president [[Olusegun Obasanjo]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://elendureports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=283&Itemid=29
 |title=Obasanjo and the Nigerian Insurance Industry	 	 	 
 |author=Jonathan Elendu	   
 |date=20 October 2006
|publisher=Elendu Reports
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>

In July 2007, the [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] (EFCC) arrested Turaki over allegations of corruption and money laundering.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.mynaijanews.com/content/view/327/232/
 |title=Orji Uzor Kalu, Saminu Turaki Arrested by EFCC
 |date=12 July 2007
|publisher=My Naija News
 |access-date=4 October 2009
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214172203/http://www.mynaijanews.com/content/view/327/232/
 |archive-date=14 February 2016
|url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

He was released on bail with stringent conditions.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://odili.net/news/source/2007/aug/7/205.html
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070430230915/http://odili.net/news/source/2007/aug/7/205.html
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=30 April 2007
 |title=FG: EFCC can't prosecute •AG assumes constitutional powers •Falana, Gani disagree
 |author=Josephine Lohor
 |date=7 August 2007
|publisher=This Day
 |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>

On 4 July 2017, Turaki was re-arrested by the EFCC while at a public function in Nigeria's capital, [[Abuja]], riding on a 2013 court document ordering his arrest for evading court summons. Turaki denied ever evading trial and accused the anti-graft agency of misleading the judge in granting such order. He also denied being on the run or evading arrest from the time the order was granted four years ago, since he had attended well publicized official, social and business functions around Nigeria and beyond. Upon this premise, Turaki was detained by the EFCC for about 14 days without any charge. This prompted the former governor to institute a fundamental human right suit against the anti-graft agency. He prayed the court to commit the head of the agency to prison for denying him his freedom even after he was granted bail by the law court. Turaki was released on bail on 27 July with the commencement of his trial slated for 19 September 2017.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

The case borders mostly on concealment of the actual nature and use of some certain funds during his period as governor. Turaki denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that the case instituted against him was politically motivated. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

On Thursday, 13 October 2022, a Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State discharged and acquitted Turaki of the N8.3 billion corruption charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The presiding judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, who delivered the ruling, struck out all charges and discharged all the accused persons for want of diligent prosecution.

The court further ordered that the travel documents of Senator Turaki be released to him with immediate effect.

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/13/court-discharges-acquits-former-jigawa-gov-saminu-turaki-of-n8-3bn-fraud-charges/ | title=Court discharges, acquits former Jigawa Gov. Saminu Turaki of N8.3b fraud charges | date=13 October 2022 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of governors of Jigawa State]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{JigawaStateGovernors}}
{{Nigerian state governors 1999-2003 term}}
{{Nigerian state governors 2003-2007 term}}
{{Nigerian Senators of the 6th National Assembly}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Turaki, Ibrahim Saminu}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Nigerian Muslims]]
[[Category:Governors of Jigawa State]]
[[Category:Senators of the 6th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:All Nigeria Peoples Party politicians]]
[[Category:Social Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians]]
[[Category:United Nigeria Congress Party politicians]]