The Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Rimin Gado, who was reinstated to curb corrupt practices in the state’s public service, is currently enmeshed in a scandal.
PCACC was established as a directorate in April 2005; it was later upgraded to the position of Commission in 2008 and was given a dual mandate of fighting corruption and playing 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, has been accused of corrupt practices and is being investigated by another anti-graft agency. Some of the allegations against Mr. Umar include misappropriation of funds, breach of trust, and abuse of office.
The allegations were submitted in a petition by a group of insiders at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which was reliably shared with the QUEST TIMES.
According to the source, nine allegations were leveled against the anti-corruption boss:
1. In 2019, the sum of N7,756,000.00 (Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand Naira only) was allocated to the Commission for the purchase of suggestion boxes for the Public Suggestion Department. The boxes were not purchased, no reasons were given, and no account was provided for the whereabouts of the funds.
2. In 2017, the sum of N36,960,000.00 (Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira only) was allocated to the commission by the Ministry of Local Government 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 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-month routine training for the staff. However, there is no evidence or record of the training being 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 records available indicate that Messrs Salihu Metal & Co charged the Commission the sum of N600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira only) per annum as its professional fees, but the commission under Mr. Muhyi Magaji requested the sum of N1,766,000 (One Million Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand Naira only) per annum from the Kano State Government. The auditor’s firm has only received the sum of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira only) and is still holding onto the audited reports until the final payment of its money.
5. One Isa Sanusi Bayero (Isa Pilot) brought the sum of $67,500.00 (Sixty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars) to the commission and handed it over to Mr. Rimingado in relation to 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 showed 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. However, 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 regarding the fate of their money.
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, in an interview with newsmen at the Commission on Sunday, Magaji said he was not aware of the allegations. “The EFCC and CCB only asked for documents in which the 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 offenses, EFCC, Muhtar Bello, which was seen by our reporter, stated that 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 clarifications 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 10:00 hours.
“He should come along with the following information: I. Details of the 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 the 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 into the alleged violation of the Code of Public Officers by Rimingado and called on the Director of the Personnel Management Department of Kano’s 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) of 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 member of your organization by the name of 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 the 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.