Anti-corruption commission arrests Ganduje’s commissioner , 5 others over N1bn fraud allegation

By Muhammed Yakubu On Jul 4, 2023

Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission has arrested and detained former governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s commissioner for works and Infrastructural, Engr Idris Wada Saleh and five others over allegation of N1billion fraud.

SOLACEBASE gathered that the commissioner who was also Managing Director, Kano Road Maintenance Agency, Permanent Secretary, Public Procurement Bureau, Mustapha Madaki Huguma, Director of Finance, Director of Research and Planning with others were arrested on Monday evening over allegation of withdrawing over N1billion for the rehabilitation of 30 roads and drainage in the metropolis that was not carried out.

A source at the commission told SOLACEBASE that the money which was withdrawn in three batches was paid into account of three companies around April 25^th,2023.

‘’Surprisingly the Public Procurement Bureau even issued certificate of no objection for the contract after the payment was made ten days earlier which is contrary to the Kano State Procurement act 2021,’’ the source said.

According to one of the sources, those arrested have made confessional statement of payment for jobs not done.

‘’The companies are bogus having almost the same letterhead without tentative office.’’

‘’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 companies are North stone Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Arfat Multiresources Ltd and 1st Step Construction Ltd.

Spokesman of the commission Abba Kabir confirmed to SOLACEBASE that those arrested are undergoing interrogation and would be arraign before the court immediately investigation is completed.