Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has charged Kumbotso Local Government Chairman, Kabiru Ado Panshekara to Court for criminal Breach of Trust and making a false statement in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives in the council area.
In a suit filed by Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission before the Chief Magistrate Court of Kano State, Kabiru Ado Panshekara alleged offence was said to be contrary to section 315 of the penal code law and section 26 of Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (As amended).
It could be recalled that Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Kumbotso Local Government Chairman Kabiru Ado Panshekara on Saturday over alleged abuse in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives.
The commission said the Council Chairman was alleged to have distributed palliative materials to security personnel comprising the Police, DSS, Immigration etc as well as Hisbah personnel; an act which contravenes the provision of Section 22, 23 and 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).
It said according to the list of beneficiaries of the palliatives those not included are: all political office holders, Civil Servants at Federal, State, and Local Government, Political party Officials at ward level, traditional rulers Juma’at Mosques Imams and Pastors and Casual workers at Federal, State and Local Government.
In a complaints form signed by Salisu M. Tahir on behalf of Kano State Attorney General, Kabiru Ado Panshekara has been summoned to appear before Magistrate court 82 at Rijiyar Zaki on Wednesday by 9.00 am.
In the meantime, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Kano State Branch has expressed readiness to withdraw from the state Covid-19 Palliative distribution committee over allegation of abuse involving its members by Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in the distribution to the vulnerable.
Kano State Branch ALGON Chairman Alhaji Lamin Sani announced this in a statement issued on Monday.
The statement said the Local Governments Chairmen and Councillors have decided to step back and withdraw from the Committee to allow the District-Heads to carry on with the task in order to avoid any further complain.
The statement expressed dismay in the accusation contained in a release issued by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday.
The ALGON Chairman in the statement said that the Local Government Chairmen and their Councilors will never engage themselves in any act capable of derailing the efforts of the State Government in ameliorating the hardship faced by the people as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the lockdown.
It said the distribution around the State was conducted according to the official guidelines.
