The Kano State Pubic Complain And Anti Corruption Commission, PCACC has said that it has commenced investigation of missing government funds from Kano Agricultural Supply Company, KASCO amounting to over N4 billion.
The Chairman of the anti-graft commission, Muhyi Rimin-Gado disclosed this when he led an investigation tour to a warehouses were alleged cars and heavy duty tractors, believed to have been bought by the missing funds were being kept in Kumbotso Local Government area of the state on Saturday.
Addressing journalists after the tour, Mr Rimin-Gado said the funds were mischievously transferred from KASCO to an association registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, named Association of Compassionate Friends.
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“We are here on an on-site inspection tour of an ongoing investigation leading to missing fund from Kano Agricultural Supply Company, KASCO, amounting to N4,302,290,742 within the range of six months, from August 19, 2022 to April 3, 2023.
“This money had been drawn from Kano state Government account from 1st to 20th October. A total of the sum of N3,257,600,000 were drawn under the pretense of grant to KASCO.
“But, the information of our commission revealed that the said fund were siphoned using a corporate entity, known as Association of Compassionate Friends. This is an incorporated trustee registered with Corporate Affairs Commission in 2019 with certificate 30904
“The Association was registered to promote and take care of the living standard of the children of less privileged people in the society, but unfortunately it had been turned into a machine to steal public funds,” he said.
Mr Rimin-Gado disclosed that part of the funds were also siphoned to another company named Limestone, which was registered with Business Name in CAC.
He also disclosed that the commission had arrested eight suspects, adding that “they are revealing credible information to the commission. One of them said he was given certain amount to make false submission at KASCO, but kept the money aside waiting for a moment like this and he had returned the money back.”
“so far we have recovered the sum of N15 million and have succeeded in blocking about N80 million”
Mr Rimin-Gado said the commission is not satisfied on how some transactions were being made between the companies and some banks, stressing that some bank managers might be invited to clear some issues.
He added that the commission would file the case to the appropriate court.
The Chairman appealed to the public, especially civil servants to forward valid information that would lead to the recovery of looted government funds and assets, assuring them of their safety.
