By Uzair Adam
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested one Tasiu Adamu Maje over the alleged illegal sale and leasing of a government-owned Horse Stable at the Race Course, popularly known as Filin Sukuwa, in Kano.
The commission issued a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Acting Chairman, Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, Esq., saying the arrest followed complaints about the alleged unauthorised disposal of the government property.
Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai, also known as Sharif, filed the complaints, alleging that Maje transferred and offered the property to private individuals without lawful authority.
According to the commission, its investigation found that the alleged transactions were carried out without the knowledge or approval of the Kano State Sports Commission, the statutory body responsible for allocating and managing Horse Stables in the state.
The PCACC said it invited and interviewed individuals connected to the transactions during the investigation and established that the Sports Commission had neither authorised nor approved any transaction involving the Horse Stable.
“The Horse Stable has not been officially allocated to any individual, whether by sale or by lease,” the commission said.
It added that the document the suspect allegedly relied on to conduct the purported transaction was not an approved or recognised document of the Kano State Sports Commission.
The commission further said the same unapproved document was allegedly used in transactions involving two different individuals.
According to the PCACC, selling, leasing, or transferring government-owned Horse Stables to private individuals without the requisite approval contravenes established government policy and applicable administrative procedures.
The commission alleged that Maje agreed to sell the Horse Stable to Muhammad Amir Yunusa for N4.5 million while simultaneously collecting rent from Usman Bala Yakasai.
It said N180,000 was reportedly demanded as rent from Yakasai, of which N150,000 was paid.
Following its investigation, the PCACC declared the purported transactions involving the Horse Stable unauthorised and invalid.
“The property remains the property of the Kano State Government and is under the control and management of the Kano State Sports Commission,” the statement said.
The commission reiterated that no individual has the authority to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of government property without the appropriate legal and administrative approval.
It said it was taking steps to recover the Horse Stable and return it to the Kano State Sports Commission.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, where the allegations against him will be subjected to due process, the commission said.
It added that it would pursue all appropriate administrative and legal measures under the law.
The PCACC also warned individuals against converting government property into private assets or using public property for personal financial gain.
“Government property is not for private sale, unauthorised leasing or personal gain,” the commission warned.
It said it would continue to investigate allegations involving the unlawful disposal, transfer or commercialisation of public assets and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law, regardless of status.
The commission advised members of the public to exercise caution before entering into transactions involving government property.
It urged prospective buyers, tenants and investors to verify the ownership, allocation and legal status of government property directly with the relevant government authority before making payments or entering into agreements.
The PCACC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government property, preventing abuse of public assets and promoting accountability, transparency and responsible management of public resources.
It also urged members of the public to report suspected corruption, abuse of office, illegal disposal of government property and other forms of misconduct through the commission’s official reporting channels.