Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), has alleged that his recent arrest was orchestrated by a suspect being prosecuted by his agency.
The arrest, which occurred on Friday, was carried out by the police in Kano, but Rimingado was granted bail on self-recognition. He has been instructed to report to the police headquarters in Abuja on Monday for further questioning.
In an interview with Channels Television program on Monday, Rimingado described the arrest as a retaliatory action from forces within the corruption world.
“Anti-corruption fights are fair, but corruption fights are dirty. There are lots of activities being orchestrated against my person,” he said, suggesting that his arrest was part of a broader campaign to undermine his efforts.
Rimingado pointed to the investigation conducted by his agency, which uncovered the misappropriation of N4 billion belonging to the Kano State government.
The funds were allegedly siphoned off through various entities by a public officer, prompting the PCACC to seize assets in accordance with legal provisions.
“We investigated that public officer and seized properties in accordance with laid-down procedures and the provisions of the law,” Rimingado explained.
The PCACC chairman further elaborated on how the accused individual attempted to tamper with evidence following their arraignment. “After the arraignment and detention of the accused, he came up with a series of tactics to seize the exhibits related to the crime, which is not allowed under the law,” he said.
Rimingado added that in response, his agency took measures to move the seized properties to a secure location “So, we took measures to move the property from its original location to a different secure place to ensure it would not be tampered with until the court decides the matter. I think that is what provoked them,” he stated.
The chairman believes that the frustration over the failed attempts to influence the case led to the activation of the police to arrest him.
“When they couldn’t wait for the court processes, and knowing they couldn’t succeed in that case, they activated the police to arrest me,” Rimingado claimed.
