A key contender for the post of the national chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle is said to be facing criminal charges at the Federal High Court, Lokoja over alleged possession of arms.
According to reports, the Department State Services (DSS) had in October, 2021 dragged Dantalle before the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
Dantalle who is the national chairman of Allied People’s Movement (APM) was alleged to have been caught with a pistol and other dangerous weapons at Ayingba in Kogi state sometimes in 2021 and the case is still pending before the Federal High Court, Lokoja
But in his reaction when contacted , Dantalle confirmed that the matter is still before the court, saying that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.
He refused to make further comments on the matter.
However, Dantalle is not deterred by allgations as he has gone ahead to contest the IPAC national chairmanship position against the national chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani.
Although, it is not clear as at press time whether or not the IPAC’s electoral committee will clear Dantalle, but the chairman of the committee, Barr Dan Nwanyanwu hinted that he has no position on the candidature of Dantalle.
Nwanyanwu said it’s not in his purview to take a decision on the eligibility of any of the contestants vying for any of the positions, stressing that his duty is to serve as an umpire for the election.
He said, “As an umpire in the election, it is not my duty to determine who is qualified to contest and who is not qualified to contest. I am an umpire in the forthcoming election of IPAC and my duty is to conduct election and not to take position on who to contest and who not to contest.”
In any case, DSS in Kogi state has indicated that Dantalle committed the offences with an accomplice who is currently at large.
The statement marked LKJ/FHC/61/21 reads “that you Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, Male, (49 years old), on or 4th Oçtober, 2021, at Anyigba, Dekinn Local Government Area of Kogi State, within the jurisdiction of this court was arrested with Barreta Pistol with serial number 215RR95042, without license, thereby committed an offence.
“That you Yusuf Maman Dantale in October, 2021, at Anyigba was arrested, with nine live rounds of ammunition, without license, thereby committing an offence.
“That you Yusuf Maman Dantale in October, 2021, at Anyigba was arrested, with nine live rounds of pammunition, without license, thereby committing an offence.”