The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Engr. Idris Wada Saleh, who served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under the immediate past administration of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Daily News 24 reports that the former commissioner was arrested along with five others over an allegation of N1 billion in fraud.
Speaking to newsmen, the Executive Chairman of the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCCAC, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, noted that the commissioner was also the Managing Director, Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA).
He added that others in their custody included Permanent Secretary, Public Procurement Bureau, Mustapha Madaki Huguma, Director of Finance, Director of Research and Planning, and others who were arrested on Monday evening over an allegation of withdrawing over N1 billion for the rehabilitation of 30 roads and drainage in the metropolis that was not carried out.
Those arrested were undergoing interrogation and would be arraigned before the court immediately after the investigation is completed.
The money in question was said to have been withdrawn in three batches and paid into the accounts of three companies.
While those arrested have made confessional statements of payment for jobs not done, according to the Chairman.
The reinstated chairman of the anti-graft commission, Barrister Muhuyi Magajin Rimin-Gado, had pledged to reopen the investigation against Ganduje on some controversial videos.
The Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.
But Rimin-Gado, who was removed by Ganduje after some altercations and reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the probe was necessary.
Rimin-Gado said, “I mean every word I said when I was in office. We opened an investigation, but there were certain limitations because he was the incumbent governor.
“Every incumbent governor, deputy governor, or president has immunity. Now that limit is no more. The commission will do what is necessary.”
