Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has approved the appointment of Mahmoud Balarabe as acting Executive Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
KANO FOCUS reports that Mr Balarabe, who is currently a Director for Public Prosecution at the state Ministry of Justice, was a director legal at the state Public Complaint and Anti- Corruption Commission before his redeployment to state ministry of justice.
A statement issued by Ganduje’s spokesperson Abba Anwar on Thursday said the appointment is with immediate effect.
Mr Ganduje directed the acting Executive Chairman to discharge his duties diligently, according to the laid down procedures establishing the Commission.
It will be recalled that Kano State House of Assembly has on Monday asked Kano state government to suspend the Chairman of the state Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhyi Magaji.
Mr Magaji was asked to step aside for a month over his alleged opposition to the posting of an accountant to the agency from the Office of the Accountant-General of the state.
The suspension, according to the state’s assembly, followed a letter of complaint sent to the house over the matter by the Office of the Accountant-General of the state.
The majority leader of the House, Labaran Madari, asked the house to refer the issue to the House Committee on Anti-corruption for investigation and action.
The committee is to report back in two weeks.
Mr Magaji was earlier reported saying he was facing interference and intimidation from government officials in his work.
Mr Magaji, who did not give names, however, said that will not deter him from bringing corrupt government officials to justice.
He said, “The challenges from government officials are enormous. Some of the officials see the agency as government-owned, thus, there are certain areas that need to be overlooked. But that cannot happen because I am not afraid to lose the job.
“I was arrested and charged for contempt because I am investigating a particular case. But that did not deter me from performing my duties because I am doing the job with passion.
“I want those in the government to understand that I am not doing the job for myself or for any material gain. Anyone that thinks that is deceiving himself.
“Even if I leave the state’s anti-corruption agency, Nigerian law allows for private detective (work). I can work in any capacity to serve Nigerians as a certified lawyer. The struggle will forever continue,” the furious anti-corruption agency boss, said.
Credit:KANO FOCUS
