The controversy surrounding the seizure of assets worth ₦4 billion and the arrest of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, has sparked intense debate.
Two weeks after overseeing the relocation of confiscated properties linked to a high-profile corruption case, Magaji found himself at the center of a legal battle, with reports of his alleged arrest by the Nigeria Police. He was reportedly taken into custody on Friday on the orders of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), with a team led by ASP Ahmed Bello. His arrest is believed to be connected to the ongoing trial of Bala Muhammad Inuwa, the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO).
Inuwa’s legal troubles began in November 2023 at the Kano High Court under Justice Hafsat Yahaya, where he faced allegations of misappropriating over ₦4 billion in public funds. The PCACC had arrested Inuwa in August 2023 for allegedly diverting government funds through an NGO he founded, the Association of Compassionate Friends. Along with his son, Bala Inuwa Muhammad Jr., and other associates, Inuwa faced multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and making false statements. Between August 2022 and April 2023, they allegedly funneled KASCO funds into private accounts.
Following their arrests, a Kano State High Court granted administrative bail to Inuwa on self-recognizance, while his son was released under strict conditions, including a ₦10 million bond. As legal proceedings unfolded, Inuwa’s defense team challenged the PCACC’s jurisdiction, sought the removal of certain judges, and requested that police officers be withdrawn from Limestone Processing Links Ltd.
In January 2025, Inuwa accused the PCACC of violating court orders by seizing his properties, leading to a public outcry. He claimed that the agency unlawfully confiscated agricultural equipment, including trailers and fertilizer grinding machines. In response, Magaji dismissed the allegations, arguing that any restraining orders obtained by Inuwa were only interim and had expired in 2024. He also pointed out that the PCACC had not been named in the legal proceedings, despite being the agency responsible for the confiscations.
Magaji emphasized that Section 40 of the Kano Anti-Corruption Law empowers the PCACC to secure seized properties while cases remain in court. Two weeks prior, he had announced that the commission had prevented an attempt to relocate seized assets worth over ₦2 billion, including trailers, trucks, and minivans. These were moved to a state warehouse in Nasarawa GRA from their previous location in Kumbotso LGA.
On Friday, Magaji was taken into custody by the IGP Monitoring Team but was released later that night at 10:45 p.m. His lawyer, Usman Umar Fari, described the arrest as a violation of due process, claiming that the allegations against Magaji relate to cases already before the courts. However, the Nigeria Police denied arresting Magaji, stating that he was merely invited for questioning regarding a petition filed against him.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified that Magaji was not arrested but invited for questioning, emphasizing that any claims suggesting otherwise were misleading.
Speaking on Channels Television, Magaji alleged that his arrest was orchestrated by individuals he was prosecuting, describing it as retaliation from corruption beneficiaries. He claimed that efforts were being made to tamper with evidence, which led him to relocate seized assets to a more secure location. He accused those involved of using the police against him after failing to succeed in court.
At the Kano Open Government Partnership (OGP) Second State Action Plan (SAP II 2024-2025) and Anti-Corruption Strategy (2024-2028) event, Magaji lamented how corrupt individuals exploit legal loopholes to fight back. He detailed how ₦4 billion was siphoned from KASCO between May 2022 and May 2023, and how the PCACC traced ₦700 million in cash, blocked it, and identified over ₦43 billion in expenses. The commission seized the assets, as required by law, and charged the case to court.
Magaji further accused the judiciary of interference, claiming that ₦200 million of the blocked funds was secretly withdrawn through questionable legal orders. He expressed frustration over how the legal system was being used to undermine anti-corruption efforts, stating that some individuals used judicial processes to help those under investigation retrieve blocked funds.
He also alleged that certain police officers attempted to protect powerful figures, recounting an incident where a senior officer dismissed the PCACC’s actions by stating that the property in question belonged to a political figure and could not be seized. He revealed that after withdrawing police officers guarding the seized property, he had to deploy civil defense personnel, who were also removed under questionable orders. Eventually, he had to call KAROTA to secure the property.
Magaji disclosed that he faced threats, including an attempt to detain him on charges of abuse of power, mischief, and trespassing. He questioned the legitimacy of such accusations, arguing that he was acting within the legal authority granted to him as the head of the PCACC. He emphasized that his fight was not personal but about upholding the law and ensuring accountability.
His arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) criticized the move, warning that it undermines Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and erodes public trust. CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that his office is not being used to shield powerful individuals from legitimate investigations.
Umar Hamisu Kofar Na’isa, Executive Director of the Society for Educational Development and Socio-Democratic Activities (SEDSAC), suggested that the arrest could be politically motivated. He emphasized the importance of police neutrality and adherence to due process, warning that if law enforcement was found to be acting improperly, it would damage public trust.
Hamisu urged all parties to present their cases in court rather than engaging in public confrontations. He stressed that if the seized properties were indeed proceeds of corruption, or if they were not, the courts must determine the truth. He also called on Magaji to address the allegations lawfully, cautioning against any perception that the PCACC was being used for political purposes.
The controversy continues to unfold, raising concerns about the integrity of the anti-corruption fight and the influence of politics on law enforcement. Observers are now watching to see whether Magaji’s ordeal is a legitimate probe or a politically motivated retaliation.
