Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), who is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), allegedly taking orders from the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, said he “will not succumb to blackmail.”
The anti-graft agency boss is investigating a bribery allegation levelled against Ganduje who was “caught on tape” stuffing dollars in his pocket.
A civil society organisation, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), however, believes that Ganduje is influencing the federal agencies to “intimidate” Magaji.
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that Ganduje frustrated an investigation of the video scandal by the Kano House of Assembly through various means including court orders.
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While in office as Kano State governor, Ganduje’s government also accused Magaji of improprieties and controversially removed him from office.
But Magaji was reinstated by Ganduje’s successor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
About a month after his reinstatement, Magaji announced the investigation of Ganduje. A month later, and days after Ganduje emerged as the chairperson of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, the EFCC and CCB notified that they were investigating Magaji.
GANDUJE FIGHTING BACK?
CCB in a letter signed by its Director of Intelligence, Investigation & Monitoring, Gwimi S. P., and addressed to the Kano anti-corruption commission, said it has launched an investigation into the alleged violation of the Code of Public Officers by Magaji.
The dated August 14 called on the director of the Personnel Management Department of the Kano anti-corruption agency to provide the requested information to aid the probe.
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“Under the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the 3rd Schedule, Part 1, paragraph 3(e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Code of Conduct Bureau is investigating a case of alleged violation of the Code of Public Officers against a staff of your organisation by name Muhuyi Magaji Gado. Consequently, you are kindly requested to furnish the Bureau with certified True Copies (CTC) of detailed information on the following. I. His letter of appointment/acceptance II Salary payslips from July 2020 to August 2023; III. Records of Service,” the CCB wrote.
Also, the EFCC summoned the Director of Finance of the Kano anti-graft agency to its Abuja head office to provide the agency with relevant transactions involving Magaji.
The EFCC’s letter dated August 8, was signed by the acting deputy director of Cybercrime and Other Related Offences, Muhtar Bello. The anti-graft agency demanded the financial records of Magaji from 2019.
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“The Commission is investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from your office is imperative. Given the above, you are requested to kindly release the Director of Finance and Accounts to report for an interview with the undersigned through the Team Leader AFF/TC at Plot 301/302 Institution and Research District Jabi, along Airport Road, Abuja on Monday, 29th August 2023 by 1000hours.
“He should come along with the following information: I. Details of total funds released to your office by the Office of the Accountant General of Kano state from the 2019 to 2021 fiscal year. II. Details of total funds released to your office by the Kano State Ministry of Local Government from 2019 to 2021 including contracts executed and details of beneficiary accounts,” the EFCC letter stated.
WikkiTimes understands that the recent development may not be in disconnection with the unending face-off between the ruling party in Kano State and the former governor, Ganduje.
‘WE WILL NOT SUCCUMB…’
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Magaji said no amount of blackmail or smear campaign will deter the commission from performing its lawful mandate.
He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kano, noting that the anti-corruption fight was in the interest of the state.
While reiterating the commission’s commitment to service delivery, the PCACC chairman pledged to abide strictly by the law establishing the commission.
He gave an example of a recent development where a law firm defending a N4 billion fraud case petitioned the Inspector-General of Police seeking the withdrawal of policemen attached to the commission.
”The recent intimidations and smear campaigns against the commission are the handiwork of people with skeletons in their cupboard,” he said.
KANO GOVT SUE FEDERAL GOVT
NAN further reported that Kano State Government charged the Nigerian Government to a Kano High Court on what it described as “harassment and intimidation” of the state Anti-corruption Commission (PCACC) by federal agencies.
In an Experte Order, the court, presided by Justice Farouk Adamu, ordered the federal agencies and their agents to stop questioning or investigating officials of the PCACC.
The court also ordered the agencies to stop meddling in the matters of the antigraft agency. The Order with suit no K/M1128/2023, further advised all the parties involved in the case to maintain the status quo.
