The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested one Tasiu Adamu Maje over the alleged illegal sale and leasing of a government-owned Horse Stable at the Race Course, popularly known as Filin Sukuwa, Kano.
The arrest followed complaints filed by Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai (Sharif), who alleged that Maje unlawfully transferred and offered the government property to private individuals without the necessary authority.
According to the Commission, its investigation established that the Kano State Sports Commission, which is responsible for the allocation and management of Horse Stables in the state, was neither aware of nor authorised the alleged transactions.
The investigation further revealed that the Horse Stable had not been officially allocated to any individual through either sale or lease. PCACC also said the document relied upon by the suspect was not an approved or recognised document of the Kano State Sports Commission and was allegedly used in transactions involving two different individuals.
The Commission said the suspect allegedly agreed to sell the Horse Stable to Muhammad Amir Yunusa for ₦4.5 million, while at the same time collecting rent from Usman Bala Yakasai amounting to ₦180,000, out of which ₦150,000 was reportedly paid.
PCACC consequently declared the purported transactions unauthorised and invalid, stressing that the property remains the property of the Kano State Government and is under the control and management of the Kano State Sports Commission.
The Commission said it is taking steps to recover the Horse Stable and return it to the appropriate government authority.
It added that the suspect is expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, where the allegations against him will be subjected to due process.
The Acting Chairman of PCACC, Hafsat Ada'u Kutama Esq, warned individuals against attempting to convert government property into private assets or sources of personal profit.
She also advised members of the public to verify the ownership, allocation and legal status of any government property directly with the relevant government authority before making payments or entering into agreements.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public assets and investigating allegations involving corruption, abuse of office, illegal disposal of government property and other forms of misconduct in Kano State.
