According to reliable information obtained by Daily Trust, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has finalized preparations to bring charges against Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the Executive Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), before its Tribunal on Thursday, November 16, 2023. Barring any last-minute changes, Magaji is set to face allegations related to conflict of interest, failure to submit a written declaration of assets and liabilities, false asset declaration, and abuse of office.
A source within the CCB informed our reporter that Magaji will be summoned to appear before the Tribunal for arraignment and trial on the specified date. The allegations against him include ten counts of abuse of office and fraud amounting to over N394 million. The summons, signed by the Registrar of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, outlines various charges, such as obtaining approval for professional audit fees beyond the submitted amount and receiving a benefit of N4.7 million in his Zenith bank account from the Secretary to Kano State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi.
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One specific allegation points out that Magaji, in his role as the Executive Chairman of PCACC, approved a payment of N1,766,666.06 as professional audit fees per annum to Messrs Salihu Metala & Co, contrary to the submitted N600,000 per annum. This action is said to violate Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C15 LEN 2004, punishable under Section 23 (1) and (2) of the same Act.
Daily Trust highlights Magaji’s past involvement as the Chairman of PCACC in investigating the misappropriation of funds at Kano Emirate Palace under Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. Additionally, Magaji has faced legal challenges before, including arraignment in April 2022 for alleged forgery and false information charges. Notably, he was suspended by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over his refusal to accept the posting of an Accountant to the commission, following a request from the State House of Assembly for him to step aside.
