Kano Anti-graft Agency Seizes N1 billion Palliatives Rice, Seals Warehouse
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Agency has sealed a warehouse where palliatives rice worth more than N1 billion was diverted to.
The facility which is located on Ring Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area,was sealed on Tuesday during an operation led by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado.
Rimin-Gado told newsmen after the operation that the warehouse was stockpiled with 28 trucks of the rice allegedly diverted by some individuals found re-bagging the commodity.
He said the rice was re-bagged into different brands meant to be circulated and sold in different markets in the state.
He said one person had been arrested in connection with the matter, while investigation would commence to fish out those behind the scam.
The executive chairman said diversion of the commodity is an illegal and corrupt act which would not be condoned by the anti-graft agency.
“In a nutshell, this is a clear form of corruption because this is a property meant for the public. Considering the hardship we have today, somebody has the liver to come and start rebagging it.
“We recovered a re bagging machine for repacking and re bagging rice meant for the public.
“So, we are here based on investigation activities. We are armed with our search warrant, arrest warrant and court order.
“Thorough investigation will continue to uncover those behind it. For now, we have arrested one and we will make sure we uncover those behind it and forestall these kinds of activities,”he said.
He said their action was backed by a court order and would ensure that all the legal procedures were taken to deal with the case.
Our Correspondent observed that the rice carries President Bola Tinubu’s picture with an inscription:”Ramadan Kareem” believed to be meant for distribution as palliatives during last year’s Ramadan fast.
