The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has accused the former managing director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Bala Inuwa, of fraudulently securing a court order to reclaim properties seized during an ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N4 billion.
According to the PCACC, Inuwa, in collaboration with his son and the Association of Compassionate Friends, is implicated in the diversion of public funds earmarked for Kano State’s agricultural sector.
During an interview with Channels Television, the Commission’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofar-Mata, described the former MD’s actions as “a desperate attempt to illegally reclaim assets acquired with proceeds of crime.”
“We were shocked to learn that a court judgment was secured against the police, not against us—the actual party that took him to court,” Kofar-Mata stated. “This process of obtaining judgment was fraudulent, as the court was misled.”
He disclosed that Inuwa filed the suit before Justice Aisha Yau of the Kano State High Court, resulting in a default judgment.
The ruling allegedly permitted Inuwa to withdraw N190 million from frozen bank accounts holding suspected illicit funds.
“The former MD presented the judgment to the police, knowing fully well that the case was not filed by them. This was a calculated attempt to bypass legal channels and exploit the system,” Kofar-Mata added.
Kofar-Mata confirmed that the Commission acted promptly after learning that representatives of the ex-MD were attempting to remove valuable assets from a warehouse located in Kumbotso Local Government Area.
“We rushed to the warehouse when we learned they were trying to cart away articulated vehicles, tractors, and hundreds of bags of cement, among other items. The site remains sealed, with police officers on guard,” he said.
READ ALSO: Kano Anti-Corruption Commission Uncovers N18 Billion Siphoned By Politicians, Civil Servants
The PCACC’s investigations have revealed that between August 2022 and April 2023, KASCO received N4.67 billion as grants from the state’s Federal Allocation Account.
Kofar-Mata noted that the sum was allegedly diverted into personal accounts, violating sections 308 and 309 of the Penal Code.
Inuwa is currently facing criminal charges of conspiracy and misappropriation before Justice Hafsat Yahaya of High Court 11. The Commission has also filed for a stay of execution and to have the judgment set aside.
“Over N790 million remains frozen across three bank accounts, but unfortunately, the fraudulent judgment allowed them to withdraw part of the funds,” Kofar-Mata disclosed.
However, the PCACC reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice and recovering public funds for the benefit of Kano State’s citizens.