By Queen Kunde
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State on Wednesday appointed former Takum local government council chairman, Hon. Shiban Tikari, who has been on police wanted list over his alleged involvement in the murder of Late Hon. Hosea Ibbi, former member representing Takum 1 at Taraba state house of assembly.
Tikari was appointed alongside one hundred and ten others as Special Advisers by the governor.
The former chairman was fingered in the murder of the lawmaker Hon. Hosea Ibbi by two convicts who were earlier condemned to death by a Jalingo High court.
The Chief judge of Taraba State, Justice Filibus Agya who presided over the case of the condemned two criminals wondered during his judgement why the former Takum Chairman Tikari Shiban who was mentioned as the sponsor of the abduction and killing of Hosea Ibbi in Takum on 30th, December 2017 was not arrested and tried along with the convicts.
The Taraba state commissioner of Police Mr. David Iloyanmon on 25th of April 2024 while briefing journalists at the police command in Jalingo declared Shiban Tikari wanted in connection with the death of the former legislature.
“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’s just a matter of time. The police commissioner stated.
But Governor Kefas while announcing the list of his aides on June 19, the name of the wanted former local government chairman, Shiban Tikari was prominent among those to be sworn in to pilot the affairs of the state.
In a press release issued by the Secretary to the Government of the State Barr. Gibon Kataps, stated that “approval of appointments as special advices, senior special assistants, special assistants, community special assistants, boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba state government part 1.
“His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, The Governor of Taraba State has approved the appointment of the following to occupy the above Offices, Departments and Agencies in the first instance”. The SGS stated while he captured the name of Tikari as one of the appointees.
The appointment of Tikari have since generated tension among the people of the state; including family members of the late lawmaker Hon. Hosea Ibbi who have express shock over the decision of the governor to include the former chairman in his administration despite his alleged involvement in the murder of their relative.
A family member who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity urged the governor to reverse his decision on appointment of Tikari to allow him to go and face the criminal charges against him.
Reports however gathered has it that Shiban Tikari is an errand boy to so many big shots from Takum and his arrest and trial may be difficult.
Prominent among those that made the list of the appointees as SAs to the governor is the former senator representing Taraba Central Zone at the National Assembly Sen. Dahiru Bako.