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General news

Kano Anti-graft agency boss urges public support on fight against corruption

By Tukur Muntari
Corruption
Kano, Dec. 9, 2019 (NAN) Mr Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman, Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, has renewed his calls to the public to support the agency in the ongoing fight against corruption in the state.

He made the appeal at a musical concert and drama performance organised by the Anti-graft agency at the popular Minat Event Centre in Kano on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised as part of activities to commemorate the 2019 International Anti-corruption Day.

He said there was an urgent need for the public to support the crusade because “if we allow corruption to thrive, it will cripple the economy of the country”.

“We can trace all the problems facing us and Nigeria as a country to high level of corruption because if a country like Ethiopia can have a national carrier, I see no reason why Nigeria will not have,” Magaji said.

According to him, the essence of organising the event was to raise public awareness against the menace so as to enable people support the agency by joining the campaign.

The anti-graft agency boss urged Nigerians to consider the anti-corruption campaign as a collective responsibility which should not be left to the government or its agencies.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of the state re-affirmed the commitment of his administration to continue to support the agency and all other anti-graft agencies to enable the country to move forward.

The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Works and Housing, Mr M. A. Lawal, said corruption is the main reason why the country is not moving forward.

“Kano state is in the forefront in the fight against corruption because it is only in Kano state that we have vibrant agency fighting corruption and we are getting results,” he said.

He commended the chairman of the state anti-graft agency, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, and his team for their doggedness in carrying out their duties.

NAN reports that a Hausa drama on the ills of corruption was presented by popular Hausa actors in Kannywood.

The event was attended by various stakeholders including representatives of EFCC, ICPC, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NYSC anti-corruption club as well as students, among others. (NAN)
MTM/AAB/MST
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Kano anti-graft agency takes anti-corruption crusade to schools

Kano anti-graft agency takes anti-corruption crusade to schools

By Tukur Muntari
Corruption
Kano, Oct. 9, 2019 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission says it has established anti-corruption clubs across secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state as part of efforts to sensitise against the ills of corruption in the society.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ali Ismail-Husain, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the commission, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Wednesday.
The commission said it was specifically engaging the students on the menace of sexual harassment and extortion of money in learning institutions.
According to the statement, the prosecution of two lecturers in the state owned schools showed the impact of the commission’s enlightenment drive against all corrupt practices and tendencies in academic environments.
NAN recalls that a Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in Kano remanded a lecturer in prison custody while another was granted bail over allegations of sexual harassment and extortion of money from students to pass examinations.
The commission noted that students have started coming out to provide useful information, which in 2018 led to the prosecution of another lecturer, Malam Yakubu from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital School of Health Sciences.
It recalled that the prosecutions followed sting operations conducted by operatives of the commission on Aug. 9 and Aug. 19 on the two lecturers over alleged sexual harassment and extortion of money from students.
“This is contrary to the provision of Section 22 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption law 2008 (as amended), and Sections 95 and 98 of the Penal Code.
“The two lecturers were arraigned on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, before Chief Magistrates Court No. 18, Zungeru road, Kano,” the read in part.
The commission therefore urged students and the general public to help it with credible information to enable the agency discharge its statutory responsibilities.
It assured the public of the commission’s resolve to give them necessary support and protection in the event of victimisation. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Embrace anti-corruption crusade, Kano anti-graft agency boss tasks states

By Tukur Muntari
Corruption
Kano, Sept. 8, 2019 (NAN) Mr Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, has called on all the 36 state governments and FCT administration to participate actively in fighting corruption for the progress of the country.

Magaji made the appeal while speaking at a one-day parley on the fght against corruption at sub-national level organised by a non-governmental organisation, Muryar Talaka Awareness Initiatives, held in Kano.

He pointed out that prior to the creation of the current anti-corruption agencies at national level, most of the legal insruments aganst corrupt practices were in the penal and criminal codes, which were state legislations.

He however lamented that the state governments have allowed themselves to be victims in the fight against corruption instead of actors.

He described corruption as one of the factors delaying progress and development of any nation anywhere in the world, stressing that the fight against corruption should be a collective effort by all stakeholders in order to make justice affordable for commonman.

According to him, the commission has recorded tremendous achievements including the construction of new offices in all the 44 local government areas of the state, recruitment of over 100 staff, training and retraining of staff in addition to treating over 4,000 different cases.

The chairman disclosed that the commission was working independently without the influence of any person or group, adding it is only acting based on petitions and complaints from individuals or groups and get justice for free as the commission was always willing and ready to serve them.

Magaji expressed the commission’s willingness to partner with all stakeholders towards achieving efficiency in addressing complaints and disputes within the public in the state.

He commended the efforts of the organisers of the parley, whom he described as promoters of transparency and accountability in government, private sectors as well as among common people.

He therefore urged other state governments to emulate Kano state by establishing similar anti-corruption agencies with guaranteed autonomy to achieve the desired results.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Muryar Talaka and awareness initiative, Mr Zaidu Bala, commended the Kano state government for establishing the anti-corruption agency and urged other states to adapt it.

Bala also appreciated the robust and dogged disposition of the chairman of the commission in the fight against corruption in the state. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Stakeholders laud Kano Govt for establishing anti-corruption agency

Stakeholders laud Kano Govt for establishing anti-corruption agency

By Tukur Muntari
Corruption
Kano, Aug. 4, 2019 (NAN) Participants at the just concluded one- day seminar on Anti-corruption have commended the Kano state government for establishing the state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the seminar organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and signed by Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, Mr Muhyi Magaji, and Prof. Sadiq Isa-Raddah, Chairmen of HEDA, KPCAC and Executive Secretary of PACAC, respectively.

The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), with the theme: The Imperative of State Anti-Corruption Agency: Kano State as a Case Study held in Kano on Aug 1.

The participants, who commended the Chairman of the Kano state anti-graft agency, Mr Muhyi Magaji, for his commitment toward the fight against corruption in the state, urged the remaining 35 states of the federation to set up similar anti-corruption agencies to complement Federal Government’s effort toward that direction.

The communique however stressed the need for other states to establish the anti-graft agencies with strong flavour for independence and a human resource base driven by credibility and moral uprightness.

“That the proposed State anti-corruption Commissions should have strong and effective laws, investigative and enforcement mechanisms in the states’ Commissions for effective investigation and diligent prosecution.

“Henceforth, participants will reinforce a network to ensure that the anti-corruption dragnet is spread to cover activities focusing on the states and LGs;

“Summit supports the policy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) allocation of resources directly to Local Governments as such will promote accountability and inclusive News,” it said.

The participants, who noted that corruption can no longer be isolated as a local challenge but a threat to local and international communities, said unmitigated cases of corruption will hamper economic growth and development in every state in the country.

According to the participants, corruption must be brought to an end or reduced to its barest minimum through joint efforts and collaboration of civil society, Community Based Organisations, (CBOs) and the government in the interest of individuals and for the stability and prosperity of the people and the country.

“A significant amount of corruption that happens in our country happens at the states and local government levels and that civil society groups should intensify efforts in engaging the states and local governments on the need to expand and tackle corruption mainly at the state level.” It said.

The communique called on state and Local Governments to promote and adopt the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy as a way of preventing graft.

“For the anti-corruption agencies to effectively discharge their responsibilities, they should be well resourced.

“That the anti-corruption campaign will be more effective when it is driven by the people,” the communique said.

Besides, iturged journalists to be more proactive through investigative reporting in the collaborative efforts of exposing corrupt institutions and individuals.

The anti-corruption situation room also commended the initiative and leadership of the HEDA Resource Centre, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, (PACAC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for putting together this laudable, enriching and empowering conference. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Kano anti-graft agency treats 4,000 civil cases in 4 years

Kano anti-graft agency treats 4,000 civil cases in 4 years
By Tukur Muntari
Cases
Kano, Aug. 1, 2019 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission says it has treated more than 4,000 civil cases in the last four years.
The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed this at a one-day anti-corruption forum in Kano on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was organised by an NGO, Human Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption and National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Magaji said between 60 and 70 per cent of the cases bordered on land disputes, especially land usurpation that was reported to the commission.
“You know we have offices in all the 44 local government areas of the state, such cases came from the areas across the state.
“In the course of doing our work, we revoked the title of some lands in order to return them to their rightful owners, while we prosecute a serving commissioner, permanent secretary and directors over land scams,” he said.
According to him, the commission has also recovered money and property valued at billions of Naira from individuals and corporate organisations.
“When we came to the commission, all the services were reduced to nothing, so we had to establish the necessary developments to enable the commission operate effectively,” Magaji said.
The anti-graft agency boss said that the commission had also recruited over 120 staff as part of renewed efforts to complement the existing 36 he inherited on assumption of office.
Reviewing the achievements recorded by the anti-graft agency in the last four years, Magaji however noted that the agency had to grapple with dearth of skilled manpower at inception, political interference and inadequate funding.
He said that the fight against corruption should not be left to the Federal Government alone if the desired objective was to be achieved.
He said that the state and local governments as well as individuals had significant roles to play in the fight against corruption in the country.
“Even though it is a difficult task to operate at the state level, but that should not be an excuse to leave the crusade to the federal government alone.
“State governments and all other stakeholders must join hands with the federal government to tackle the menace,” he said.
He commended HEDA for initiating the forum and called on similar NGOs to follow suit.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of HEDA, Mr Sulaimon Arigbabu, stressed the need for all the governors in the country to establish anti-corruption agencies in their respective states to complement federal government effort.
“The anti-corruption situation room is an idea of getting the crusade in the front banner because whether you like it or not corruption will kill Nigeria if Nigeria does not kill corruption,” he warned.
NAN reports that the workshop, which had its theme “The Imperative of State Anti-corruption Agency, Kano State Case Study”, was attended by various stakeholders including representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and journalists, among others. (NAN)
MTM/MAM/TA/MST
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Tajudeen Atitebi

General news

Emir Sanusi’s claim on alleged N3.4bn fraud, misrepresentation of facts – Anti-graft agency

By Tukur Muntari
Facts
Kano, June 13, 2019 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has described the claim by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, that he was not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council as a misrepresentation of facts.

This is contained in a preliminary report of the Commission on the investigation being carried out in respect of the alleged misappropriation of over N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council between 2014 and 2017.

The report was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Thursday.

The report, with reference number PCAC/GEN/6/VOL.I, dated June 11, 2019, was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government.

Part of the report reads: “In furtherance to the Commission’s earlier communication No. PCAC/GEN/6/V.I, dated 31st May, 2019, on the above subject matter and the unfolding events, the Commission deemed it necessary to make some clarifications as follows:-

“It is imperative to state categorically that, the Commission’s investigation is on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures but not on the funds left behind by the Late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and we still maintain our stance.

“In the cause of investigation we undertook an analysis of the main Account belonging to Kano Emirate Council and domicile at First Bank with Account No. 2005888452 starting from the era of the Late Emir to enable the Commission have an idea of how the money is being managed.”

According to the report, there were 783 activities bordering on withdrawals, transfers and placements from Jan. 2, 2013, to June 6, 2014, during the time of the late Emir.

“As from 2nd January 2013 to 13th April, 2017, the opening balance is N432,338,412.98. Total credit made in the account during this period was N6,784,146,335.73 while the total debit during the period under review is N7,209,035,163.09.”

However, it added that, “the closing balance as at April, 2017, is N7,449,585.62″.

It further revealed that on Feb. 13, 2014, and Feb. 26, 2014, payments were made to Philko Ltd, the company said to have undertook the construction of Ado Bayero Royal City via Inter Bank transfers of the sum of N776,159,519.50.

“There were transfers of N388,079,759.75, N338,079,759.75 and N50,000,000.00 made on Feb. 13, 2014, and Feb. 26, 2014, respectively; making the total quoted figures for Philko Ltd.”

The report also alleged that during the period, fixed deposit placements were made to the tune of N581,884,729.54 (placement and rollovers) while net withdrawals on some engagements both cash and withdrawal stood at N1,056,533,728.31.

“In summary, the total withdrawal made from the Account under the Late Emir was N2,414,577,977.35, subtracting this amount from total debit on the account which is N7,209,035,163.09.

“It is evidently clear that the current Emir is responsible for the expenditures to the total sum of N4,794,457,185.74 from the Emirate Council Account domicile in First Bank Plc,” it said.

Similarly, it alleged that all the expenditures made by the Emirate Council were either based on the approval or instructions of Emir Sanusi.

The commission attached copy of a payment voucher in respect of one of the withdrawals to buttress its claim, which read “Being payment to the above named in respect of making special prayers for peace as directed by H.H. Emir of Kano respectively“.

“Therefore, any claim that the Emir is not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council is a deception and a misrepresentation of facts.

“Specifically, the reason of our recommendation for the suspension apart from obstruction of investigation which formed the basis, investigation further reveals that Rufa’i Buhari (Senior Accountant) usually made cash withdrawals directly from the account and change it to Dollars on behalf of the Emir.

“Sometimes direct transfers from the account are made to a Bureau De Change belonging to one Jazuli Sani who was said to have died.

“The Commission still maintain the allegation on unappropriated, seemingly personal expenditures, making the total sum of questionable expenditures uncovered by this investigation to the tune of N3,432,090,797.94 only,” the report emphasised. (NAN).
MTM/MZA
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

General news

Alleged N3.4bn fraud: Kano anti-graft agency vows to continue investigation

Alleged N3.4bn fraud: Kano anti-graft agency vows to continue investigation
By Tukur Muntari
Investigation
Kano, June 10, 2019 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission has vowed to continue with its investigation on the alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council.
The Commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed this while addressing a news conference in Kano on Monday.
He said: “By virtue of Section 8 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), which provides that in `exercising its powers under this law, the commission shall not be subjected to the direction and control of any authority’.
“So the commission is not under the control or discretion of any authority or person.
“As far as the commission is concerned this investigation is ongoing and the commission will do everything legally possible to deliver its mandate with respect to the case.’’
He explained that the commission found it necessary to make the clarification that the investigation did not commence at the instance of the government of Kano state, but as a result of series of complaints by concerned citizens of the state.
“After the issuance of query to the Emir of Kano by the government based on the report of the commission, many things have happened which necessitated the commission as an independent entity to state its position,” he added.
NAN recalls that the Kano Emirate Council had last week replied the state government that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II inherited about N1.8 billion on assumption of office and not N3.4 billion as alleged.
On accountability, the council stated in its reply that the Sanusi II was not the accounting officer of the emirate but the secretary.
Earlier in its interim report to the state government, the anti-graft agency said it uncovered N3.4 billion as misappropriated funds by the emirate council allegedly under Sanusi’s tenure between 2014 and 2017. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Kano State Anti-graft agency boss accuses Judges of sabotage

Kano State Anti-graft agency boss accuses Judges of sabotage
Sabotage
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, July 5, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission has expressed concern over the attitude of some Judges who deliberately use their position to undermine or sabotage the activities of the commission.
The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, made this known at a news conference in Kano on Thursday.
Magaji alleged that some Judges in the state had formed the habit of obstructing investigation of cases being carried out by the commission for their personal or selfish interest.
“Obstruction of investigation by courts is a criminal offence and this commission will not take it lightly with any Judge that tries to obstruct its investigation,” he warned.
Magaji, who described the action of such courts or Judges as ‘judicial rascality’, called on the state Chief Judge to take necessary steps in order to check the ugly trend prevalent in the state’s judiciary.
He said, for instance, a case where the commission was investigating alleged illegal transfer of N100 million from the State/Local Government Joint Account at a Micro Finance Bank to one of the commercial banks in the state.
“The money was illegally transferred but the Bank Manager filed a suit against the commission for carrying out investigation into the case.
“The court gave an experte order directing us to stop the investigation while the complainant have consented to the crime as they have issued N20 million cheque as refund,” the chairman said.
According to him, this case is one of the many cases of obstruction of investigation encountered by the commission in the fight against corruption in the state.
The Chief Judge, Justice Nura Umar, and the state Ministry of Justice are yet to react to the allegation. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Magaji advocates establishment of state anti-graft agencies

NAN-HE-26
Corruption

By Tukur Muntari

Kano, Feb. 20, 2018 (NAN) Mr Muhiyi Magaji, the Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, has stressed the need for state governments to establish anti-graft agencies to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.

He made the call at a Town Hall Meeting on Whistle Blowing and the fight against corruption in Nigeria held in Kano on Tuesday.

NAN reports that the event was organised by African Centre For Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) in collaboration with MacAuthur Foundation.

He said establishing similar anti-corruption agencies in the states would complement the Federal Government’s effort toward the fight against corruption in the country.

He said it was unfortunate that the fight against the menace had been left to the federal government anti-graft agencies such as EFCC and ICPC in spite of the fact that it should be a collective responsibility.

“Nigeria has the potential to be a great nation, but unfortunately the fight against corruption has been left to Federal Government alone.

“The various state governments should establish anti-corruption agency in their respective states to strengthen the crusade,” he said.

According to him, the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians in view of the fact that they are the direct victims of its impact.

He said the commission at the state level had established offices in all the 44 local government areas of the state as part of measures to decentralise its activities for effective performance.

He, however, expressed concern over the poor performance of the judiciary in the trial of corruption cases in the state and called for “judicial revolution” to achieve the desired objective.

“For the fight against corruption to succeed in the country there must be judicial revolution,” Magaji said.

Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urged Nigerians to support the federal government whistle blowing policy.

Magu, who was represented by the EFCC Kano Zonal Head, Malam Garba Dugu, said the whistle blowing policy was introduced to show that the agencies had a vital role to play in exposing corrupt activities.

NAN also reports that the town hall meeting was also attended by various stakeholders, including representatives of the civil society organisations, students, lawyers and university lecturers. (NAN)
MTM/TÁ
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

General news

Shop allocation: Kano anti-graft agency uncovers 1,108 fake traders

Shop allocation: Kano anti-graft agency uncovers 1,108 fake traders

NAN-H-94
Traders
Kano, May 4, 2017 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission says it has uncovered 1,108 fake traders in allocation of shops at the Kwari market in Kano metropolis.

The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Rimingado, disclosed this at the unveiling of NIPOST Anti-corruption Stamps at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano on Thursday.

Rimingado said that the commission undertook a biometric screening of the affected traders to ascertain the genuine owners of shops at the market.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise followed the decision by the State Government to reconstruct the market in order to provide access roads and other facilities.

He said the exercise which was conducted on the instruction of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje was aimed at entrenching transparency and accountability in the allocation of shops to traders.

The chairman said in the course of the exercise, 3,468 traders were initially submitted to the commission by the government for verification.

“The first verification revealed that 2,823 traders were screened as `yan tebura traders’ (mobile traders), while the second verification conducted through the biometric capture exercise showed that only 2,359 were genuine traders,’’ he said.

Besides, Rimingado disclosed that the commission had recovered huge sums of money in cash from 2015 to date in addition to movable and immovable properties allegedly stolen from Kano state government.

He added that the commission recently recruited 120 workers as part of effort to strengthen the manpower needed by the anti-graft agency.

According to him, the commission would continue to give priority attention to training and retraining of its personnel to enhance their productivity.

“The commission has also provided electronic attendance machine to enhance punctuality and productivity which is the first of its kind in the state,” said Rimingado. (NAN)
MTM/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola