Kano Anti-graft Commission Arrests former Commissioner, Others for  N1bn Alleged Fraud

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Idris Wada Saleh, over alleged diversion of  N 1 billion meant for the re-construction of 30 roads across the state.

Confirming the arrest to journalists in Kano yesterday, the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Muhiyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said that Saleh the immediate past administration of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

According to him, the former commissioner who doubled as the managing director of Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), was arrested alongside the Permanent Secretary of Public Procurement Bureau, Mr. Mustapha Madaki Huguma; director of Finance as well as director of Research and Planning.

Gdo said: “We are here in relation to an outright theft of N1 billion belonging to Kano state government through bogus companies.

“I can’t tell you the names of the companies off head right now and for investigation sake. The money was removed a month before handing over and it was removed under the pretext that it would be used for construction or rehabilitation of about thirty roads across Kano state.

“That is why we made some arrests including the commissioner of works who doubles as the Managing Director Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), I want you to take note of this.

“When we invited some of the directors, because we have the bank details that indicated fraudulent activities, this ignited the commission to look into it.

“The anti- corruption boss has also invited the director personnel, planning and statistics as well as the director of finance and confessed to the commission that they were only under instructions to remove the money.

“There was no work done, nothing was done. So that prompted us to arrest the person that directed them. He is now with us and we are taking him to court,” he stated.

The arrested permanent secretary and director confirmed to the commission that they were instructed to sign the necessary documents that passed through their desks, which according to them was done to protect their jobs.