From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Executive Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission (PCACC), Bar. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado, has said that detractors sponsored by suspected corrupt public officials under investigation are making efforts to distract the commission from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday, Muhuyi vowed that no amount of intimidation would stop the commission from fishing out and investigating suspected corrupt public officials so long as the law establishing the Commission permitted it to do so.
He also dismissed recent allegations of corruption within the commission’s management, describing it as the handiwork of those who had skeletons in their cupboard.
“You are aware of unfolding events concerning the commission in recent times. These are orchestrations of those who have clear cases of corruption to answer. They are doing everything possible to frustrate the efforts of the commission, but we are not deterred.
“Just recently, a law firm defending the case of N4 billion fraud at KASCO, which is already before a Kano High Court went as far as writing the Inspector General of Police for withdrawal of Police personnel attached to the commission.
“Their argument was that the commission has no power to investigate corrupt public office holders. To us, this is laughable and we will not give in to such cheap ploys by those who siphoned public money to evade justice,” the chairman said.
He further stated that since the case is in court, “and we have enough evidence to prove our case, we are not losing sleep. We will remain focused; and will continue trying our best towards ensuring that public funds and property diverted into private pockets and use, will be recovered.”
He said even though the commission would keep abiding by the Rule of Law, nothing would stop it from ridding the state of corrupt public office holders.
According to Rimingado, the commission has a Court of Appeal judgment that allows it to investigate, not only executive members of government and government agencies but, even those working in the judiciary.
He further stated that, “we are not deterred in all our investigations because we have weighty allegations against them. We have Court of Appeal judgment which empowers the Commission to investigate, not only the staff or former executive members of Kano State executive arm of government, but even those working in the judiciary.
“The Court of Appeal said the Commission has the powers, without even writing a letter to the Chief Judge, to investigate a matter.
“ So, as far as we are concerned, they are only postponing the D-day. Nothing would stop the state from prosecuting or initiating criminal prosecution against any person ,because section 211 of the Constitution is so explicit. So, as far as we are concerned, we are not deterred.
“I believe we are on course. We will continue with our Investigations, and we will try as much as we can to get rid of corrupt practices from the system.”
