CISLAC Decries Assault on Kano Anti-Corruption Chair, Calls on IGP to Reject Political Influence
Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, was recently arrested and then released by Inspector General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit officers. This action has been denounced by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, or CISLAC.
According to a statement signed by its executive director, Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, CISLAC called the occurrence a blatant instance of “corruption fighting back” and cautioned that such actions destroy public confidence and undercut Nigeria’s collaborative anti-corruption efforts.
Mr Rafsanjani criticized the circumstances surrounding Rimingado’s arrest, noting that it appears to be connected to the commission’s ongoing investigations into a high-profile case involving properties allegedly linked to a prominent national figure within the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Due to the confiscation of properties thought to represent the profits of criminal activity, Mr. Rimingado was reportedly arrested on Friday night.
In compliance with its enabling statute and a court decision, the Kano Anti-Graft Agency conducted an investigation and prosecution of the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company.
Later that night, Mr. Rimingado was freed on bond, but he was instructed to appear at Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday so that he could be questioned further.
According to Mr. Rafsanjani, “the Inspector General of Police must not permit desperate politicians to use his position to thwart anti-corruption initiatives or protect influential people from justifiable inquiries.”
“Actions like these not only tarnish the reputation of the police force but also erode public confidence in the impartiality of state institutions.”
In addition, he said, such meddling undermines President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s professed commitment to accountability and openness while harming Nigeria’s reputation internationally, especially in the eyes of investors and the private sector.
CISLAC concluded by emphasizing that political interference in law enforcement must be resisted to ensure justice is upheld and the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework is preserved.
