Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has apprehended and placed under custody Engr Idris Wada Saleh, former governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s commissioner for works and infrastructure, along with five other individuals.
The arrests were made in connection with an alleged N1 billion fraud case. In addition to his role as commissioner, Saleh also served as the Managing Director of the Kano Road Maintenance Agency.
The other individuals detained include Mustapha Madaki Huguma, Permanent Secretary of the Public Procurement Bureau, the Director of Finance, the Director of Research and Planning, and several others. They were taken into custody on Monday evening due to accusations of illicitly withdrawing over N1 billion for the purported rehabilitation of 30 roads and drainage systems within the metropolis. However, investigations revealed that the rehabilitation work was not carried out.
A source within the commission informed Paparazzi Online that the money had been withdrawn in three separate batches and deposited into the accounts of three companies around April 25th, 2023. Surprisingly, despite the earlier payment, the Public Procurement Bureau issued a certificate of no objection for the contract, which contradicts the Kano State Procurement Act of 2021.
One of the sources also disclosed that those arrested had confessed to making payments for jobs that were never executed. Furthermore, the companies involved were found to be fraudulent, as they possessed nearly identical letterheads and lacked substantial offices.
The Due Process office explained that the certificate of no objection was issued based on the Kano Road Maintenance Agency’s assertion that the road rehabilitation would be carried out through direct labor. However, the submitted documents indicated otherwise. The three companies implicated in the case are North Stone Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Arfat Multiresources Ltd, and 1st Step Construction Ltd.
Abba Kabir, the spokesperson for the commission, confirmed to reporters that the arrested individuals are currently undergoing interrogation. They will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
