The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has clarified its earlier claims regarding the alleged diversion of 16,800 bags of rice, initially thought to be part of the Federal Government’s palliatives.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the commission’s chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, revealed that preliminary investigations established the rice was brought to Kano from Bauchi and Zamfara states by a philanthropist.
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The clarification follows a raid conducted by the commission on a warehouse along Ring Road, Hotoro, Kano, after receiving a whistleblower’s report. The report alleged that over 28 trucks of rice were being rebagged for sale, despite bearing the picture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the inscription, “Ramadan Kareem” and “Not for sale.”
During the raid, Rimingado had described the situation as “a clear form of corruption,” stating, “Considering the hardship we are experiencing in the country, somebody has the effrontery to come here and start repackaging and rebagging it. We will take all legal actions to forestall these kinds of activities.”
However, subsequent findings revealed the rice belonged to a private individual supporting the president’s programs. “Contrary to the popular notion, the goods do not emanate from either the Federal Government or any other government in Nigeria,” Rimingado explained. “The philanthropist uses personal resources to produce and distribute the rice among various segments of society.”
The commission, invoking Sections 9 and 15 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), initially sealed the warehouse and made arrests at the scene. Later, another suspect voluntarily reported to the commission.
Following further interrogation, the commission handed over the suspects to a leading security agency for investigation. Rimingado stated that the findings prompted the commission to approach the court for further legal action and to clear any misconceptions.
The chairman expressed gratitude to Kano residents for their vigilance and urged them to continue providing valuable information to aid the fight against corruption.
