By Rabiu Sanusi
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 arrest followed complaints lodged by Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai (Sharif), who alleged that Maje transferred and offered the government property to private individuals without lawful authority.
According to the Commission, preliminary investigations revealed that the Kano State Sports Commission, the statutory body responsible for the allocation and management of horse stables in the state, was neither aware of nor authorised any transaction involving the property.
PCACC further stated that the horse stable had never been officially allocated to any individual through sale or lease, while the document allegedly relied upon by the suspect was found not to be an approved or recognised document of the Kano State Sports Commission.
The Commission alleged that the same unapproved document was used in transactions involving two different individuals.
It said Maje allegedly agreed to sell the horse stable to Muhammad Amir Yunusa for N4.5 million, while simultaneously collecting rent from Usman Bala Yakasai amounting to N180,000, out of which N150,000 was reportedly paid.
PCACC declared the purported transactions unauthorised and invalid, stressing that the property remains owned by the Kano State Government and under the control and management of the Kano State Sports Commission.
The Commission said it had commenced steps to recover the horse stable and return it to the Sports Commission.
It added that the suspect is expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, where the allegations against him will be subjected to due process.
In a statement signed by the Acting Chairman of PCACC, Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, the Commission warned individuals against converting government property into private assets or sources of personal profit.
She stressed that public property cannot be sold, leased or transferred without the required legal and administrative approvals.
PCACC also advised members of the public, prospective buyers, tenants and investors to verify the ownership, allocation and legal status of any government property directly with the relevant authorities before making payments or entering into agreements.