News Editor
…Described his representation as terrible, a wasted mandate
Residents of Kachia Kagarko have described the arrest and detention of their member House of representatives, Honorable Gabriel Zock as a welcome development, saying that the lawmaker has performed below expectations since elected in 2019. They also said his tenure has been marred by lack of accountability to the constituency.
Honorable Gabriel was on Thursday arraigned before an Abuja High Court on criminal charges of advanced fee fraud otherwise known as 419 to the tune of N185 million naira.
Zock was said to have swindled one Adeyemi Kamar of the amount, under alleged false pretences that he would assist the victim to influence the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to secure Right of Occupancy for his property at Guzape area of Abuja.
However, when the charges were read to him, the lawmaker pleaded not guilty.
Maryam Ahmed, EFCC’s counsel asked the court to remand the lawmaker in prison pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Zock, who was brought to court from EFCC custody, had no legal representation to make case for hearing of his bail application already filed.
In a bid to rescue him, Justice Halilu Yusuf appointed one Adebara Adeniyi as counsel for him, for the purpose of arraignment and bail.
The EFCC’s counsel however stood her ground that the application of the defendant filed on February 9, was not ripe for hearing and that she needed to study and respond to all the fundamental issues raised in the bail application.
TMSnews interviewed some constituents of Kachia Kagarko who expressed their disappointment on the lawmaker who many of them described as the worst to ever represent them. They said Zock is yet to sponsor a single bill since elected and has also allegedly diverted funds meant for constituency projects in the constituency.
Kaduna based Citizen Journalist and Human Rights Activist, Steven Kefas described the development as a confirmation of his criticisms of the lawmaker. When asked about how he received the news of the he arrest if the lawmaker, Kefas said
“I didn’t receive the news with any surprise, this is because the signs have always been there for all to see that Zock lacks the capacity to represent Kachia Kagarko.
“Go and check the records of the constituency projects approved viz aviz what he has executed so far. There is no accountability. His representation has been very bad, how can you explain that a young man in his late 30s has not been able to sponsor any bill since elected in 2019?
“His arrest and detention by the EFCC and the court is a confirmation that all I have been writing about him are nothing but true.” Kefas said.
Another constituent, Abdulsalam Ahmed Jere, described the development as shocking.
“Is shocking and very unfortunate. A young guy that was lucky and privileged to serve as a representative of my constituency in the national assembly to be involved in this , is so unfortunate.
“Hope it is going to be a lesson to learn when casting our votes.” He said
Chris Sabo, a resident of Kagarko said Honorable Gabriel Zock has been the worst ever produced by Kachia Kagarko.
“Zock has disappointed us the young people who supported him in 2019 because of his age I must tell you.
“We supported him because we saw him as one of us then unfortunately he has greatly disappointed us.
“It is shameful that our lawmaker is currently in prison for fraud but I am happy that his true character has manifested before the world in an election year. I am sure the electorates have learnt their lessons if any.” Sabo said
Habila Dominic described the lawmaker as one who lives ‘undiplomatically’
“Well for me it’s not a shock at all, tracing how he always short change us the constituents. He lies undiplomatically.” Dominic said.
Another constituent, Shedrack Michael described the development as shameful to the constituents of Kachia Kagarko. Saying that he even though the case is before the court, he is not doubting the allegations against the lawmaker.
“Well going by the whole story as narrated by many progressive minds, I have this to say;
One may call it politics, yes it’s but zock have again given us many reasons to believe that such happened and with the heat of the news am very sure what was alleged of him really happened.
“We, his constituents have been defrauded by him before now as such this will not be a new thing for him to defraud an individual on land related issue.
“Am certain that Zock can do what he is being accused of, we have seen how he deprived his constituents of many constituency project for his personal gains.
“The news is sad and a shame to we the constituents because it further denies us of legislation that may go on in the house within the period of his stay in the custody of the EFCC.
The member has put us in shame no doubt. Michael said
