Kano Anti-graft Agency Arrests Eight for Missing N4bn

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission (PCACC), Rimin Gado, yesterday  confirmed that the agency has arrested eight persons for  the missing N4 billion belonging to the state government.

Gado  alleged that the funds were allegedly siphoned from the coffers of Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) during the tail end of the last administration. During an investigation tour by the chairman, a warehouse was discovered where the missing money was said to have been used for the purchase of exotic cars, heavy duty trucks and tractors  in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the funds were fraudulently transferred from  KASCO to an association, registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“The Association was meant to promote and take care of the living standard of the children of the less privileged people in the society. But unfortunately it has been converted to a machine of stealing public funds,”  he said.

He explained that the funds were allegedly withdrawn from the Kano state government as a grant to KASCO but was siphoned, using the registered corporate association and a business, an identified limestone company.

 “We have so far arrested eight suspects, who are currently disclosing credible information to the commission, just as one of them confessed that he was given certain amount to make false submission at KASCO, but kept the money aside, waiting for a moment like this to return it to the rightful owner,” he said.

“So far, we have recovered the sum of N15 million and have also succeeded in blocking about N80 million”, he added.

Furthermore, he explained that, the commission is not satisfied on how some transactions were being made between the companies and some banks, alerting that some bank managers may be invited to clear some issues.

To this extent, the chairman appealed to the people of the state, especially civil servants, not to hesitate to forward valid and valuable information that would lead to the recovery of looted government properties or funds.