Alleged N4b Fraud: Court arraigns, remands ex-KASCO MD, 2 others

By Muhammed Yakubu On Nov 2, 2023

Kano, Judicial Commission of Inquiry , political violence, inaugural , — Kano Judicial Commission of Inquiry on political violence to hold inaugural sitting on Monday

The Kano State Government on Thursday arraigned a former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the state’s Agricultural Supply Company, (KASCO), Bala Muhammad Inuwa, his son, Bala Muhammad Inuwa junior and an Incorporated Trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends over N4 billion alleged fraud.

It could be recalled that the office of the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, filed the charges against them, sequel to investigations by the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).

The commission 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.

SOLACEBASE reports that the arraignment was sequel to the ruling of Justice Hafsat Sani Yahaya of a Kano High Court on Thursday.

The defendants Counsel, Prof. Nasir Adamu Aliyu had argued that the defendants cannot be arraigned due to the non-availability of some facilities that include the defendants statements, and list of witnesses among others, saying that without the facilities it would amount to hindrance of the defendants’ constitutional rights to fair hearing in line with Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019.

However, the judge ruled that it is not enough ground not to take the plea of the defendants and asked that the charges be read to them.

After the ten count charges that include criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, false statement to cover up transaction and mismanagement of grant money among others.

In their pleadings, the defendants said they were not guilty of the charges read to them.

The defence Counsel, Prof. Nasir Adamu Aliyu then made an oral pleading asking the court to allow the defendants continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by another high court on the matter.

This, the Complainant Counsel, Barr. Zaharadeen Hamisu Kofar Mata argued that though they are not objecting to the bail it should not be by oral pleading but by proper application before the court.

In her ruling, Justice Hafsat ordered the defence counsel to bring an application for bail which may be taken tomorrow Friday, if the application is ready, and ordered the defendants be remanded.

The judge then adjourned for hearing of the substantive suit to December, 6^th, 2023.