t may be a curious case of epic gaffe or oversight. However, while the jury is still out on that, Ibrahim Ngoshe, a secondary school principal arraigned for an alleged N24 million fraud, was on Friday named as commissioner nominee in Borno.

On Friday, Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, transmitted 18 names to the state house of assembly as commissioner nominees.

Among the names was Ngoshe, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April on a one-count charge of alleged misappropriation to the tune of N24 million.

According to the charge filed against Ngoshe at the Borno state high court, he “dishonestly misappropriated the revenue generated” by Mairi Islamic Senior Secondary School, Maiduguri while being principal between 2012 and 2013 and “diverted same in the establishment of your school by the name Sheik Abba Aji Memorial Integrated School at Mairi Kuwait being monies meant for payment of staff salaries, additional structures and other physical projects for the school” to the tune of N24 million.

Ngoshe’s inclusion as commissioner nominee on Friday, while still standing trial over alleged fraud, sent tongues wagging in the north-east state.

‘NGOSHE’S NAME HAS BEEN REMOVED’

However, in a tweet on Saturday night, Isa Gusau, Zulum’s media aide, said the governor has written to the state house of assembly, withdrawing Ngoshe’s name.

“Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has on Friday evening, written to the Borno State House of Assembly, withdrawing the name of Dr Ibrahim Yusuf Ngoshe as commissioner nominee,” Gusau wrote, adding that the number of commissioner nominees is now down from 18 to 17.

Gusau said further details will be provided should the need arise.

July 29, 2023.

Just in: @ProfZulum withdraws Ngoshe from list of commissioner nominees

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has on Friday evening, written to the Borno State House of Assembly, withdrawing the name of Dr. Ibrahim Yusuf Ngoshe as commissioner nominee.

The…

— Isa Gusau (@Isa_Gusau2023) July 29, 2023