COVID-19 Palliative: Kano Anti-Corruption Commission arrests Council Chairman

Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission has arrested Kumbotso Local Government Chairman Kabiru Ado Panshekara over alleged abuse of palliative for distribution to vulnerable amidst the COVID-19 lockdown.

The commission confirmed the arrest on its verified twitter handle on Wednesday.

Solacebase reports that the commission had earlier in the day requested to discontinue a suit filed against the Chairman, at Magistrate court 82 in the metropolis.

The presiding Magistrate, Musa Ibrahim Fagge later struck out the matter.

Speaking to Solacebase, the Commission Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimigado said the council chairman Kabiru Ado Panshekarawould be arraigned before Upper Sharia Court Shauchi as the Magistrate Court does not have jurisdiction over the matter.

Solacebase reports that Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Commission arraigned the Council Chairman, Kabiru Ado Panshekara for allegedly diverting the relief materials meant for people in his area to cushion the effects of the coronavirus restrictions.

According to the Commission, the alleged offence was contrary to section 315 of the penal code law and section 26 of Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (As amended).

The commission said the Council Chairman was alleged to have distributed palliative materials to security personnel comprising the Police, DSS, Immigration etc as well as Hisbah personnel; an act which contravenes the provision of Section 22, 23 and 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).

It said according to the list of beneficiaries of the palliatives those not included are: all political office holders, Civil Servants at Federal, State and Local Government, Political party Officials at ward level, traditional rulers Juma’at Mosques Imams and Pastors and Casual workers at Federal, State and Local Government.

According to the tweet” The Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Kabiru Ado Panshekara has been rearrested and will be taken to court anytime soon for alleged violation of section 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended) and section 318 of the Penal Code Law of Kano State in the distribution of palliative materials at Kumbotso Local Government”.