Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, on Wednesday, approved the reinstatement of Barr. Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado as Chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission (PCACC) to complete his tenure.
This is according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, who disclosed that Magaji’s reinstatement is to allow for the completion of his tenure.
The statement reads; “His Excellency Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, has approved the reinstatement of Barr. Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado as Chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission, PCACC, to complete his tenure.
“Recall that Barr Muhuyi was suspended from office by the previous administration in questionable circumstances.
The statement also notes that the PCACC’s boss’ reinstatement is with “immediate effect and in compliance with a court order.”
Muhuyi Suspension
Muhuyi was suspended by the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the recommendation of the state House of Assembly, which said it investigated and uncovered several anomalies against him.
After his suspension from office and his subsequent arrest and prosecution by the police, who alleged he perjured himself, the anti-graft boss joined the then-opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a gubernatorial candidate before joining the now-ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) before the election.
Last month, A National Industrial Court sitting in Kano ordered his reinstatement as the chairman of the (PCACC) with immediate effect, holding that the Kano State House of Assembly lacked the power whatsoever to dismiss or to recommend his dismissal without recourse to the principles of fair hearing.
Muhuyi recommended the suspension of the Emir of Kano
The reinstated anti-corruption boss in June 2019 recommended the suspension of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, from his throne over an alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion.
According to the commission, the crime was committed between 2014 and 2017.
The recommendation was contained in a preliminary report of the investigation conducted by the commission under the instruction of Muhuyi Magaji.
According to the PCACC, the investigation was in respect of a petition of financial misappropriation levelled against the Kano Emirate Council under Sanusi.
The interim report, which raised four cardinal issues bordering on indictments, the amount involved, obstruction of investigation and recommendations, indicated that the Kano Emirate Council had spent over N1.4 billion in various ways believed to be fraudulent and un-appropriated.
Also, the Emirate Council was alleged to have spent over N1.9 billion un-appropriated on seemingly personal matters, contravening the provisions of Section 120 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 8 of the Kano State Emirate Council Special Fund Law 2004.
The expenditures also allegedly violated Section 314 of the Penal Code as well as the provisions of Section 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).
“It is also the opinion of this commission, based on the available evidence, that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II continued to undermine the investigation through various means which include giving instruction to all officers invited for clarification to shun the commission’s invitation.
“The act is seriously affecting the process of our statutory responsibility and offends the provisions of Section 25 of the commission’s enabling law of 2008 (as amended),” the report said.
Consequently, the panel recommended that the principal suspect in the person of Sanusi and all other suspects connected with the case be suspended, pending the final outcome of the investigations.
“This is a necessary administrative disciplinary action aimed at preventing the suspects from further interfering with the commission’s investigations.
“The commission further recommends that the contract awarded to Tri-C Nigeria Limited for renovation of Babban Daki, Kofar Kudu and Gidan Sarki Dorayi should be revoked as the company belongs to one of the suspects in the person of Alhaji Mannir Sanusi, (The Chief of Staff in the Emirate),” it said.
According to the report, the company failed to settle the sub-contractor, Cardinal Architecture Ltd, after being duly paid.
The panel recommended that appropriate authority should be put in place to oversee the affairs of the Emirate Council in line with established statutes and policies, pending the final outcome of the commission’s probe.
It urged the state government to take further legal action against all the suspects as soon as the final outcome of the investigations is presented and legal advice accordingly issued.
Assembly took over the case
A few months after the anti-graft commission instituted an investigation, the state assembly took over the case, forcing the agency to suspend its probe indefinitely.
Midway into when the assembly took over the case, the leadership under Kabiru Alhassan Rirum was accused of receiving N100million bribe from the president of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to carpet the investigation of Sanusi.
The bribery allegation which forced the speaker to step aside also forced the assembly to equally drop Sanusi’s probe.
Exactly two years after, the Kano anti-graft agency dusted Sanusi’s file and reopened the controversial case. The reopening of the allegation against the emir was reportedly not unconnected with his role during the 2019 general election.
Unsubstantiated reports accused the emir of supporting, including funding, the opposition party against Ganduje during the keenly contested gubernatorial poll in Kano.
The emir was earlier offered three options, including voluntary resignation, creation of new emirates councils and forcible dethronement.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf when elected invited Emir Sanusi to his swearing-in scheduled for May 29, 2023.
The invitation came on the heels of mounting speculation that the government of the NNPP is considering re-crowning Sanusi by removing the current Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
An invitation personally signed by the governor-elect and dated May 26, 2023, said the event will hold at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofa Mata, at 9.00am.
It read, “As you are aware, the 2023 election into the office of the governor was conducted in Kano State on March 18, 2023, to which, by the Grace of Almighty Allah SWT, I emerged as the winner and subsequently issued a certificate of return by INEC. It is therefore my great pleasure to invite you to my swearing in ceremony along with my deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
“It is my belief that your presence will not only significantly add colour to this important event, but also serve as a major boost and support to us, as we embark on a journey that aims at restoring the lost glory and reputation of our dear state by returning it to the path of progress and development in all fields of human endeveaour, In sha Allah.
‘’While anticipating your positive response and acceptance to grace the important event. Accept the assurance of my highest regards and consideration, please.”
However, the dethroned emir did not attend the swearing.
Lamido’s rennaiscance
Since most people believe that Lamido was dethroned because of his anti-Ganduje activism, Kabir Yusuf’s victory is a breath of relief for Lamido.
The discussion of whether or not he will return to the throne will linger for a long because Emir Sunusi is said to be an uncle to Abba Kabir.