By Ismail Auwal
The Executive Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has accused the leadership of Kano State Emirate Council, under Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, of receiving kickbacks to the tune of N200 million from the sales of Gandun Sarki plots at Dorayi quarters.
According to Muhuyi, the reigning Emir of Kano Alh. Aminu Bayero and his close aides are being probed by his commission over their involvement in the sales of 22 hectares of land owned by the Kano Emirate Council.
Muhuyi noted that, although Emir Bayero has denied knowledge of the questionable land deal, investigation has revealed that at least three of his close aides were deeply involved in the racket.
While explaining how his commission figured out the deal, Muhuyi mentioned a person called Yusuf as the one who purchased 14 hectares of land from the Emirate at the cost of N200 million.
“He (Yusuf) signed an agreement that he bought 14 hectares at the cost of N200 million. He gave them N200 million in cash and the Emirate Council promised to give him an account number which he would deposit another N200 million,” Muhuyi said.
A close associate of the Emir Aminu Bayero, Sarki Waziri, who is Dan Rimin Kano and the Deputy Secretary of the Emirate, in an agreement seen by the commission, wrote that he sold the plots on behalf of the Emirate Council.
However, the commission found out that Awaisu Abbas Sanusi, who is an executive officer in the office of Emirate’s Secretary, was the one that received N200 million cash, however, a few days later he denied having any stake in the said transaction.
“The N200 million was the amount of bribe received, and another N200 million to be deposited in the Emirate’s account was the amount to be recorded officially,” Muhuyi alleged.
“Why will the Emirate accept $416,000 in cash? What is the council using that huge amount for, despite the fact that it has accounts, including dollar account?,” the anti-graft boss rhetorically asked.
He also noted that even contentious N200 million was not deposited into any of the Emirate’s bank accounts, after the cash was collected by Awaisu.
Muhuyi stressed that the plots of land were sold without valuation, which is also an offence on its own. “You cannot sell government’s plots without valuation.”
Muhuyi, therefore, boasted that he would not spare the buyer of the land, and thus will ensure that he is charged for complicity.
Muhuyi also emphasized that not even the Governor of Kano State can stop him from carrying out this investigation.
