Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), has claimed that his recent arrest was orchestrated by a suspect being prosecuted by his agency.
The arrest, carried out by the police in Kano last Friday, saw Rimingado granted bail on self-recognition. He has been instructed to report to the police headquarters in Abuja for further questioning. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Rimingado described the arrest as a retaliatory act from powerful forces within the corruption world.
Rimingado emphasized that while anti-corruption efforts are fair, they are often met with underhanded tactics. He claimed that the arrest was part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining his ongoing anti-corruption initiatives. “There are lots of activities being orchestrated against my person,” he stated.
The PCACC chairman pointed to an 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 properties as part of the legal proceedings.
“We investigated that public officer and seized properties in accordance with laid-down procedures and the provisions of the law,” Rimingado explained.
Rimingado also described how the accused attempted to tamper with evidence after their arraignment. He recounted how the accused individual tried various tactics to seize the exhibits related to the crime, prompting his agency to secure them by moving them to a different location.
“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,” he added. Rimingado believes that the failed attempts to influence the case led to his arrest, which he now views as an attempt to derail his agency’s efforts to bring corruption to light.