Kano antigraft boss gets the hammer, as CCT issues suspension order over alleged corruption
Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Thursday suspended the chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado.
This was contained in a terse statement on Thursday in Abuja by the chief press secretary, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mrs Veronica Kato.
According to Kato, Magaji was suspended over a 10-count charge of corruption filed against him by the CCB on the 16th of November, 2023.
“Delivering the ruling, the Chairman CCT, Justice Danladi Umar, established that the Tribunal has the competence and jurisdiction to hear the case.”
“He (Umar) explained that Muhuyi Magaji cannot continue to discharge the duties and responsibilities of his office while facing trial, to avoid any interference with the case.
“Hence the suspension, this is pending the conclusion of the trial,” Kato said.
Arraignment
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) arraigned Rimin Gado on Thursday over alleged breach of the code of conduct for public officers, conflict of interest, abuse of office, false asset declaration, bribery and gifts acceptance, among others.
READ ALSO: Like Ganduje, Kano PCACC boss gets court protection from EFCC, ICPC, CCB probe
The Tribunal granted the complainant’s application seeking the defendant to step aside as PCACC over the allegation of contravening the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C15 LFN 2004 pending the hearing and determination of the case against the defendant/respondent.
Appointment of acting PCACC boss
It also granted an order directing Kano State governor and the secretary to the government of Kano State to take all necessary steps to appoint the most appropriate officer to take over as acting chairman of the PCACC pending the hearing and determination of the case against Rimingado.
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Attempts to halt investigation
The embattled anti-graft chairman had made all efforts to stop his investigation and subsequent prosecution, and a source at PCACC said he was already planning to appeal his suspension.
After receiving an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau, respectively, to answer questions over his stewardship from 2011 to date, Rimingado sort and obtained an exparte order asking the federal agencies and their agents to stop questioning or investigating him.
READ ALSO: PCACC’s Muhuyi Magaji vows to probe Ganduje’s bribe videos he earlier defended
Our source said he intends to use this “existing exparte order as a basis to fault the CCT suspension.”
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to the 7th and 8th May 2024 for hearing.
