The former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Bala Muhammad Inuwa, has called on the Nigerian Police Force, the Commissioner of Police, and the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to respect court ruling by vacating the premises of the Limestone Processing Links Ltd, located in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

Speaking through his legal counsel, Barrister Tahir Ibrahim, the former Managing Director made the plea on Friday in Kano, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and adhering to judicial directives.

SolaceBase reports that the commission had in November 2023 arraigned the former  MD, his son, Bala Muhammad Inuwa junior and incorporated  Trustees of the Association of Compassionate Friends (ACF) over the alleged diversion of 4 billion naira from the account of KASCO to personal accounts.

The charges were filed against them by the office of the state’s Attorney-General, following investigations by the Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).

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The PCACC disclosed that its investigations revealed that the defendants diverted over N4 billion from the account of the state’s agricultural supply company into personal accounts.

The anti-corruption commission alleged in the charges filed on 3 August, that Mr Muhammed and his son, Bala Muhammed (Junior), his organization – the Association of Compassionate Friends – and two others diverted over N4 billion in public funds.

An application dated August 3, 2023, and signed by Assistant Director, Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu M. Tahir (ESQ) and Principal State Counsel, Kano State Ministry of Justice, Zaharaddeen Hamisu. Kofar-Mata (ESQ), recalled that: “Sometime in August 2022 to 3rd April 2023 or thereabout the sum of N4,67,290,742.00 (Four Billion, Sixty Seven Million, Seven Hundred And Forty-Two Naira) only were credited into Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd’s ( KASCO) Account No. 1014477161 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and Unity Bank Account No. 0005195864 from Kano State Federal Allocation Account No. 4968083012 domiciled in FCMB within Kano Judicial Division all in the name of grant, but the former managing director dishonestly misappropriated and converted the whole sum belonging to Kano State Government meant as a grant to the State-owned Company (KASCO) to other accounts including his personal accounts, the act which is an offence under section 308 punishable under section 309 of the Penal Code Law.”

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However, on Monday, the commission secretary and legal adviser Zahraddeen Hamisu  Kofar Mata told newsmen in Kano that the former MD had filed a frivolous application before Justice Aisha Yau of the state high court who delivered a default judgement against the police.

‘’Surprisingly, we were not sued in the suit, since we are the party that dragged them to court, not the police they sued, ‘’the legal adviser said.

‘’I said the process of obtaining the court judgement was fraudulent as they misled the court’’

He said even the police authorities have similarly appealed the court judgement because they aren’t a party in the suit.

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‘’The former MD presented court judgment which they obtained fraudulently because they are fully aware that the commission attached the properties and so they filed a case against the police and obtained a default judgment because of the absence of the police, knowing fully well that the police did not file the case,” Kofar Mata said.

Kofar Mata said the commission then applied to be joined in the matter since the ex.MD is facing charges bordering on conspiracy and criminal misappropriation before Justice Hafsat Yahaya of High Court 11.

“We were in the office when we received a call today that they were trying to remove the valuable properties that the commission attached and so we rushed to the warehouse where the property are kept and guarded by the police attached to the commission.

Addressing journalists on Friday, Barrister Tahir recounted that on November 27, 2024, Justice Aisha Ya’u of Kano State High Court No. 10 issued an order mandating the removal of police officers stationed at Limestone Processing Links Ltd.

According to him, despite the court’s directive, the police have refused to comply, prompting the legal team to pursue further enforcement measures.

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Tahir said,’’ The case originated from an earlier dispute involving Taj Bank, Union Bank, and the Anti-Corruption Commission. Taj Bank, which had initially defied a court order to unfreeze Inuwa’s accounts, was compelled to comply after intervention by court officials. Similarly, the Anti-Corruption Commission had attached Inuwa’s property in August 2023 under an irregular order, which the court later nullified.

“Even after the court vacated the order, the Anti-Corruption Commission withdrew its officers but left police officials stationed at the property without any legal basis,” said Barrister Tahir.

‘’The court later awarded damages of ₦3 million against the police and instructed them to vacate the premises. However, attempts to enforce the order have reportedly been obstructed by police officers allegedly acting on instructions from the Anti-Corruption Commission chairman, Muhuyi Magaji.

“Our plea is simple: the Nigerian Police Force, the Commissioner of Police, and the Anti-Corruption Commission must respect the rule of law and comply with the court’s decision,” Barrister Tahir stated. “No one is above the law, and obedience to court orders is essential for justice and societal peace.”

He further warned that the continued defiance of court rulings undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.

This development comes as the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has summoned Barrister Tahir Ibrahim to appear before it on Wednesday, January 8, 2024, on the basis of investigating an alleged obstruction of its ongoing investigation’

The commission said this is pursuant to the power conferred on it by the provision of section 9 and 15 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The letter read,’’ You are requested to appear before this commission for personally assaulting the police officers attached to the commission at Kumbotso Local Government  ACF warehouse on the 30^th December 2024 which is an offence under section 25 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Laws 2008(As amended).

Addressing the press on the summon, Barrister Tahir reaffirmed his commitment to honouring the invitation, stating:

“I will honour the invitation. I am not afraid of appearing before the commission because I did nothing wrong. In fact, the police officers who accused me of assault are the ones who threatened me, saying they would shoot me with their guns. I have witnesses to prove this. So, I will honor the invitation.”

He added, “The recent invitation served to our office by the Anti-Corruption Commission seems like retaliation for our actions. We are simply carrying out our duties as mandated by the law.”

“As ministers in the temple of justice, when you obtain a court order, it is your responsibility to ensure its execution. You are required to mobilize court officials and oversee the proper enforcement of the court order. That is exactly what we did, and we did not harm or abuse anyone during the process,” Tahir concluded.

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When contacted for comment, the commission’s spokesman, Kabir Abba Kabir said the organisation would not join issues with the lawyer on the pages of newspaper as the matter is already in court.

Kabir said the commission has well known for its respect for rule of law and obeying court orders.