By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The re-constituted Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the immediare past commissioner for works, Idris Wada Saleh, and four others who worked under former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje over alleged N1 billion fraud.
The reinstated anti-graft boss in the State, Barr Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado had promised that all those accused of bribery and corruption would pay for their sins.
He said the efforts of the commission have resulted in the arrest and detention of the former commissioner for works and infrastructure, Engr Idris Wada Saleh and five others over allegations of N1 billion fraud.
The former commissioner was also the Managing Director of the Kano Road Maintenance Agency, and the Permanent Secretary, Public Procurement Bureau.
Mustapha Madaki Huguma, the Director of Finance, and the Director of Research and Planning, among others, were arrested on Monday evening over an allegation of withdrawing over a N1billion for the rehabilitation of 30 roads and drainage in the metropolis, projects that were allegedly not carried out.
A source at the commission disclosed that the money which was withdrawn in three tranches was paid into the account of three companies in April 2023.
“Surprisingly the Public Procurement Bureau even issued a certificate of no objection for the contract after the payment was made ten days earlier which is against the Procurement Act 2021.
“The Due Process office said the certificate of no objection was issued because Kano Road Maintenance Agency said the rehabilitation of the roads would be carried out through direct labour but the papers submitted read otherwise,’’ the source said.
The spokesperson of the commission, Abba Kabir confirmed that those arrested are undergoing interrogation and would be arraigned before the court as soon as the investigation is completed.