KANO STATE PCACC:Ex-KASCO Boss, Son Arrested N4 billion alleged fraud……CONTINUE READING>>>>>>
KANO – Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), on Thursday, arraigned the past Managing Director of the state’s Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Bala Muhammad Inuwa, his son, Bala Muhammad Inuwa jr. and an Incorporated Trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends over N4 billion alleged fraud.
The formal arraignment on Thursday at a Kano High Court was nearly botched following legal arguments by the defence team over the failure of the prosecution counsel to make available to them facilities attached to the case.
The Defence Counsel, Prof. Nasir Adamu Aliyu, had argued that the defendants could not be arraigned due to the non-availability of some facilities that include the defendant’s statements and a list of witnesses, among others.
Prof. Nasir Adamu Aliyu further argued that without the facilities it would hinder the defendants’ constitutional rights to fair hearing in line with Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019.
The technicality introduced by the defence team triggered legal fireworks, as the prosecution team replied on the point of law.
However, in the end, the presiding judge, Justice Hafsat Sani Yahaya, dismissed the arguments of the defence team over the impropriety of the arraignment.
Justice Hafsat Sani Yahaya ruled that it was not enough ground not to take the defendants’ plea and asked that the charges be read to them.
The ruling subsequently paved the way for proceedings as the former KASCO chief executive officer was slammed with 10-count charges that included criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, a false statement to cover up transaction and mismanagement of grant money among others.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to them in English.
There was however a mild drama when the defence Counsel, Prof. Nasir Adamu Aliyu made an oral application asking the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by another high court on the matter.……CONTINUE READING>>>>>>
