On Tuesday, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) ordered the remand of Idris Wada Saleh, a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, in its custody over an alleged N1 billion fraud.
The defendant, who previously worked as a Commissioner under Abdullahi Ganduje, is charged with two counts of false information, return, and cheating.
The defendant was arrested on July 3 around 2:30 p.m., according to Salisu Tahir, Prosecutor and Assistant Director of PCACC.
Tahir claimed that in 2023, the defendant released N1 billion to Arafat Construction Company, No Stone Construction Company, and Multi Resources for the rehabilitation of 30 roads in the city, which was never completed.
Tahir filed an ex parte application under Section 295(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2019, urging the court to remand the defendant in PCACC custody for 14 days to allow for the completion of the investigation.
“The defendant has a case to answer regarding the N1 billion belonging to the Kano State Government. The ex parte application is supported by a seven-paragraph deposition by Inspector Sa’id Ilu, attached with six voucher exhibits,” Tahir stated.
He further requested the court to grant the application, enabling the agency to file appropriate charges against the defendant in the interest of justice and public outcry.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor indicated that the offenses contravened the provisions of Section 26 of PCACC 2010 as amended and Section 322 of the Penal Code.
The defense counsel, Mustapha Idris, urged the court to grant bail to the defendant in accordance with sections 35(6) and 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“The defendant is presumed innocent, and the offense is bailable pursuant to Sections 168 and 172 of ACJL Kano State 2019 and Order 5, Rules 1 and 3 of ACJL Rules 2023,” Idris argued.
Chief Magistrate Tijjani Sale-Minjibir ordered the remand of the defendant in PCACC custody for 12 days and instructed that he be kept under good conditions. The matter was adjourned until July 14 for a ruling on the bail application.