Kano anti-graft agency denies ex-KASCO MD access to seized property

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has accused the former Managing Director of Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Bala Inuwa, of recovering confiscated assets through court orders.

The properties were confiscated during an ongoing investigation into alleged misappropriation of N4 billion.

Inuwa’s son and the Association of Compassionate Friends, were also implicated in the allegation of diverting public funds meant for Kano State’s agricultural sector.

PCACC Secretary and Legal Adviser, Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofar-Mata, described the former MD’s actions as “a desperate attempt to illegally reclaim assets acquired with proceeds of crime.”

He told Channels Television,“We were shocked to learn that a court judgement was secured against the police, not against us – the actual party that took him to court. This process of obtaining judgment was fraudulent, as the court was misled.”

He said a suit filed by Inuwa before Justice Aisha Yau of the Kano State High Court allowed him to withdraw N190 million from frozen bank accounts holding suspected illicit funds.

“The former MD presented the judgement to the police, knowing fully well that the case was not filed by them. This was a calculated attempt to bypass legal channels and exploit the system,” Kofar-Mata added.

He said when the commission received intelligence that the ex-MD’s representatives were attempting to remove valuable assets from a warehouse in Kumbotso Local Government Area, officials proceeded to seal the facility.

Further speaking, Kofar-Mata said between August 2022 and April 2023, N4.67 billion was credited to KASCO from the state’s Federal Allocation Account as grants.

“Our investigation found that this sum was diverted into personal accounts – a clear violation of sections 308 and 309 of the Penal Code,” he said.

He also revealed that the commission had applied for a stay of execution and for the judgment to be set aside.

“Over N790 million remains frozen across three bank accounts, but unfortunately, the fraudulent judgement allowed them to withdraw part of the funds,” he added.

Inuwa’s phone was been switched off when contacted for his reaction at the time of reporting.