By Ismail Auwal
The chairman of Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Rimingado who was reinstated to check corrupt practices in state’s public service, is currently enmeshed in scandal.
PCACC was established as a directorate in April 2005 but later upgraded to the position of Commission in 2008, and was given a dual mandate of fighting corruption and at the same time play the role of ombudsman.
In what appears to be an irony for an anti-graft agency, the current chairman of the commission, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, who has been accused of corrupt practices, is being investigated by another anti-graft agencies.
Some of the allegations against Mr. Umar include misappropriation of funds, breach of trust, and abuse of office.
The allegations were submitted in petition submitted by a group an insider at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) reliably shared with our reporter.
According to the source the nine allegations where labelled against the anti-corruption boss are:
1. In 2019, the sum of N7,756,000.00 (Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand Naira only) was released to the Commission for the purchase of suggestion boxes for Public Suggestion Department. The boxes were not purchased, neither was any reason given and no account was rendered for the whereabouts of the funds.
2. In 2017, the sum of N36,960,000.00 (Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand Naira only) was released to the commission by the Ministry of Local Government, in order to organize a 2-day Anti-Corruption Seminar for newly elected Local Government officials. The seminar was not organized and the funds were not accounted for.
3. Mr. Rimingado also requested for the sum of N37,800,000 (Thirty-Seven Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only) from the office of the Accountant General of Kano state. Based on the request, the sum of N37,800,000 was released to the commission to conduct a six months routine training for the staff. However, there was no evidence or record of the training conducted with the funds.
4. On 12/4/2021, the office of the Accountant General of Kano state released the sum of N5,300,000 (Five Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) for the payment of External Auditors, Messrs Salihu Metal & Co, the firm of auditors engaged to audit the accounts of the Commission for the period of 2017-2019.
The record available to us indicates that Messrs Salihu Metal & Co charged the Commission the sum of N600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira only) per annum as professional fees, but the commission under Mr. Muhyi Magaji requested for the sum of N1,766,000 (One Million Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand Naira only) per annum from Kano State Government. The auditor’s firm has only received the sum of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira only), and is still holding on to the audited reports until the final payment of its money.
5. One Isa Sanusi Bayero (Isa Pilot) brought to the commission the sum of $67,500.00 (Sixty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars) and handed same over to Mr. Rimingado in respect of an investigation involving Gandun Sarki situated at Dorayi Karama, Kano.
6. There is also the issue of payments for uncompleted projects in the Commission’s Local Government offices. Technical and financial reports from the Local Government Councils indicate that payments were made without valuation certificates from the various Works’ Departments of the Councils, thereby leading to overpayment.
Furthermore, there is an allegation by one Alhaji Aminu Rimin Gado of HT Development Company, the company that was awarded the construction of the Commission’s Local Government Area offices, that Mr. Rimingado collected money from him to facilitate the award of the contract.
7. The case of criminal breach of trust involving the District Head of Kumbotso, where a recovery of the sum of N8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira only) was made. Mr. Rimingado abused his office by releasing only the sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira only) to the complainants as against the entire N8,000,000 recovered, then directed that the remaining sum of N5,000,000 be forfeited to the state government. But that money was neither forfeited to the State Government nor released to the complainants.
8.The sum of N52,260,100.00 (Fifty-Two Million Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand One Hundred Naira only) was deposited into the clients account of the commission on behalf of several complainants. The funds were illegally withdrawn and utilized by Mr. Rimingado, while the complainants are still at a loss on the fate of their monies.
9. The sum of N187,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million Naira only) was recovered on behalf of Ado Bayero Royal City Trust Fund (ABRCTF) in the case of Danmarnawa Gandun Sarki. Mr Muhyi Magaji released the sum of N50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira only) to the Emirate Council. However, there is no evidence or record of the whereabouts of the remaining N137,000,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-Seven Million Naira only).
However, Magaji in an interview with newsmen on Sunday said he was not aware of the allegations.
“The EFCC and CCB only asked of documents in which Director of Finance and Accounts will leave for Abuja with them tomorrow (Monday).”
A letter of invitation dated August 8, 2023 and signed by the acting Deputy Director, Cybercrime and other related offences, EFCC, Muhtar Bello, which was seen by our reporter, said financial records of Rimingado from 2019 should be provided by PCACC for necessary action.
It reads, “The Commission is investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from your office is imperative. In view of the above, you are requested to kindly release the Director of Finance and Accounts to report for an interview with the undersigned through the Team Leader AFF/TC at Plot 301/302 Institution and Research District Jabi, along Airport Road, Abuja on Monday, 29th August, 2023 by 1000hours.”
“He should come along with the following information:
I. Details of total funds released to your office by the Office of the Accountant General of Kano state from 2019 to 2021 fiscal year.
II. Details of total funds released to your office by the Kano state Ministry of Local Government from 2019 to 2021 including contracts executed and details of beneficiary accounts.”
Also, in another letter by CCB signed by Gwimi S. P. Director, Intelligence, Investigation & Monitoring, the Bureau said it has launched an investigation on alleged violation of the Code of Public Officers against Rimingado, and called on Director, Personnel Management Department of Kano anti-corruption agency to provide requested information to aid the probe.
The letter reads, “Pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the 3rd Schedule, Part 1, paragraph 3(e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, The Code of Conduct Bureau is investigating a case of alleged violation of the Code of Public Officers against a staff of your organization by name Muhuyi Magaji Gado. Consequently, you are kindly requested to furnish the Bureau with certified True Copies (CTC) of detailed information on the following. I. His letter of appointment/acceptance II Salary payslips from July 2020 to August, 2023; III. Records of Service.”
Mr. Rimingado is currently involved in an ongoing spat with his former boss Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the current APC Chairman.
He recently stated that he conducted a forensic analysis of videos purportedly showing former Kano State governor, receiving a substantial amount of dollars as a suspected bribe.
In response, Mr. Ganduje obtained an interim order restraining the anti-corruption agency from investigating him, his family, and political appointees.
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