Four staff of KAROTA arrested over alleged embezzlement

The Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Agency yesterday detained top management staff of Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) over alleged embezzlement of N12million belonging to the agency.

A source told The Guardian that the suspects were detained after several hours of interrogation at the anti-graft headquarters.

They include the director of Administration, head of account, head of operations and the under secretary.

The Guardian reliably gathered that the supposed under-covered deal of alleged N12million fraud leaked following a misunderstanding among the actors, but another source said some management staff that were shoved aside blew the lid.

Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Commission, Rabi Ibrahim Waya, confirmed the detention of the top management staff, adding that the officers were interrogated over alleged misappropriation of N12 million following a petition forward to the commission by an anonymous person.

“It is true that we are presently asking the management staff of KAROTA questions on investigation of fraud against them.

“The agency had received petition that accused the management staff of embezzlement of N12million public funds and as part of the entrusted responsibility of the commission, we are presently investigating the matter.

“We have invited them for fair hearing and whether or not guilty of the allegation, but the outcome of investigation will determine the next line of action,” Waya said.

Reacting to the development, Legal Adviser of KAROTA, Lamido Abba Sorodinki, said there was no iota of truth in the allegation leveled against the senior staff of his agency.

Speaking to The Guardian in his office, Sorodinki said the whole scenario was masterminded by the enemies of the agency to discredit its hardwork.

“It is true there was petition written against some management staff of KAROTA, but it will be too early to jump into conclusion, because the matter is still under investigation and until the outcome of the investigation, which could be true or false, nobody can say anything for sure,” added.

On confessional statement of guilt already made by the accused persons, Sorodinki maintained that the confession were supplied under pressure, adding: “Even though they were not under duress, because I was there when they made the confession, but I still insist that those comments were made under tense atmosphere.

“You know, the weather is hot and these people were fasting, so I believe they were not in their good mindset.”