Court Orders Removal Of Kano Anti-Corruption Boss Over Alleged Fraud
The Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the immediate removal of Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), due to charges of alleged fraud.
Justice Simon Amobeda’s ruling not only mandates Rimingado’s dismissal but also directs the Nigerian Police to withdraw all personnel assigned to him. Additionally, the court recommends that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee investigate multiple allegations of Rimingado’s disregard for court orders, potentially leading to further legal consequences for the anti-graft official.
The court’s decision arises from two separate fundamental rights enforcement cases (FHC/KN/CS/308/2024 and FHC/KN/CS/307/2024) filed by Mustafa Sule Garo and Muhammad Sule Garo. The applicants sought protection from arrest and investigation by the PCACC, arguing that the commission had lost its authority to act on financial crimes due to earlier judicial rulings.
This ruling aligns with a previous judgment by a Kano State High Court, which declared the provisions of the PCACC’s enabling law concerning financial crime investigations inoperative. The court found that these provisions duplicated the roles of federal commissions, thereby exceeding the PCACC’s jurisdiction.
Rimingado’s legal troubles are compounded by a Federal High Court ruling that previously barred the PCACC from performing its duties under his leadership. This restriction followed a suspension order issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in April, citing Rimingado’s alleged involvement in various acts of corruption. The charges against him include conflict of interest, failure to submit a written declaration of assets and liabilities, false declaration of assets, and abuse of office.
CCT Chairman Justice Danladi Umar emphasized that Rimingado could not perform his official duties while under investigation to prevent any potential interference with the judicial process. The suspension was described as a preventive measure pending the outcome of the trial, which formally commenced on November 16, 2023, with a 10-count charge filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Mrs. Veronica Kato, Chief Press Secretary of the CCB, confirmed the suspension, stating, “The suspension of Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado is a necessary step to ensure the integrity of the trial process and uphold the rule of law.”
Justice Amobeda has tasked the Attorney General of Kano State with ensuring full compliance with the CCT ruling, including the immediate removal of Rimingado from his position.
