The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has retracted its earlier claims of corruption regarding 16,800 bags of rice allegedly diverted from Federal Government palliatives and stored in a warehouse in Kano.
Kano PCACC disclosed that the supposed rice belongs to a private philanthropist and not the government.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the anti-corruption agency’s boss, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado explained that investigations revealed the rice was transported from Bauchi and Zamfara States by a private individual as part of a personal initiative to support various groups.
LEADERSHIP reports that the commission, acting on a whistleblower’s tip, raided a warehouse along Ring Road, Hotoro in Kano where 28 trucks carrying the bags of rice were found on Wednesday November 27, 2024.
The rice bags bore an image of President Bola Tinubu with the inscription “Ramadan Kareem” and “Not for Sale,” raising suspicions that they were Federal Government’s palliatives being repackaged for the open market.
Describing the discovery at the time, Rimingado stated, “This is a clear form of corruption, and considering the hardship we are experiencing in the country, somebody has the effrontery to repackage and re-bag these goods. We will take all legal actions to forestall such activities.”
However, following arrests and further investigations, the commission discovered that the rice did not belong to the government but rather produced and distributed by a philanthropist using personal resources.
“Contrary to the popular notion, the goods do not emanate from either the Federal Government or any other Government in Nigeria, but belongs to an individual, a philanthropist who produced the rice and distributes amongst the various segments of the society as a support to Mr. President,” he revealed
“In accordance with the provision of Section 15(3) of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), we involved a leading security agency to investigate further,” Rimingado stated.
He added that the PCACC has since approached the court with its findings and clarified its earlier position.
“Now that it is established that the goods are not public property and the people handling whatever exercise taking place in that warehouse are working for the owner of the goods, the Commission therefore in accordance with established protocols and extent laws decided to approach the court with the new findings for necessary action and convene this conference to clear the air about the development so far reached,” he added.
The chairman commended the public for their vigilance and urged them to continue collaborating with the Commission by providing credible information to combat corruption in the state.
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