Alleged N3.2b Fraud: Court Remands Kano Ex-MD, others

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

 Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) arraigned a former Managing Director of Kano Agricultural Supply Company, (KASCO), Bala Muhammad Inuwa, his son, Bala Muhammad Inuwa Junior, and an Incorporated Trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends over N4. 2billion alleged fraud.

 The State High Court, presided over by Justice Hafsat Yahaya Sani, on Thursday remanded Muhammed, and his son Muhammed (Jnr) in custody.

The charges against them include misappropriation of public funds amounting to N3.2 billion, as well as multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and public corruption.

One of the charges alleges that between August 2020 and April 2023, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, along with his son and the Incorporated Trustees of Associate of Compassionate Friend, unlawfully misappropriated the sum of N3,275,685,742.00.

The money was alleged to have been disbursed to the Kano State Government as a grant from the Federal Government’s Allocation Account and belonged to KASCO, where Bala Inuwa Muhammed was serving as Managing Director.

The charges further alleged that the action of the defendants caused significant financial harm to the people and the state government of Kano, thereby committing the offense of criminal conspiracy.

Both Bala Inuwa Muhammed and his son pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The defense counsel, Professor Nasir Adamu Aliyu, SAN, urged the court to grant the defendants bail on self-recognition, highlighting their consistent attendance at trial proceedings.

However, the prosecution, represented by Barrister Zaharaddeen Hamisu Kofar Mata, objected to the bail request.

In her ruling, Justice Hafsat Yahaya denied the defense’s request to grant immediate bail, stating that a formal bail application needed to be presented.

Consequently, she ordered the remand of the defendants until the defense counsel, Professor Nasir Adamu Aliyu SAN, presented a formal bail application to the court.

The substantive case is adjourned until December 6, 2023, for hearing.

In addition, the prosecution was ordered to provide the defense with the necessary facilities to adequately prepare their defense.