NN3.2bn Fraud: Court Remands Former Kano Agric Firm MD

Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Hafsat Yahaya Sani, has remanded Bala Inuwa Muhammed, the former managing director of Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), and his son Bala Inuwa Muhammed (Jnr) in custody.

 The charges against them include, misappropriation of Kano State funds amounting to N3.2 billion, as well as multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and public corruption.

One of the charges states that between August 2020 and April 2023, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, along with his son and the Incorporated Trustees of Associate of Compassionate Friend, unlawfully misappropriated the sum of N3,275,685,742.00.

The money was originally disbursed to the Kano State Government as a grant from the Federal Government‘s Allocation Account and belonged to KASCO, where Bala Inuwa Muhammed was serving as managing director under the immediate past regime.

The charges further state that the action of the defendants caused significant financial harm to the people and the state government, thereby committing the offence of criminal conspiracy.

During their arraignment, both Bala Inuwa Muhammed and his son pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The defence counsel, Professor Nasir Adamu Aliyu, SAN, urged the court to grant the defendants bail on self-recognition, highlighting their consistent attendance at trial proceedings.

However, the prosecution, represented by Barrister Zaharaddeen Hamisu Kofar Mata, objected to the bail request. In her ruling, Justice Yahaya denied the defence‘s request to grant immediate bail, stating that a formal bail application needed to be presented.

Consequently, she ordered the remand of the defendants until the defence counsel, Professor Nasir Adamu Aliyu, SAN, presents a formal bail application to the court.

The substantive case was adjourned to December 6, 2023, for hearing.

In addition, the prosecution was ordered to provide the defence with the necessary facilities to adequately prepare their defence.