Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) says it has arrested the principal suspect in the alleged diversion of more than N4 billion belonging to the state government.

The suspect is the founder of an NGO, the Association of Compassionate Friends and the sole signatory of a business account belonging to Limestone Processing Link.

PCACC stated in Kano on Thursday that the company’s bank account and that of the Association of Compassionate Friends were used to divert the Kano State government’s funds.

It stated that the suspect was arrested after breaking into sealed warehouses confiscated by the PCACC, an action contravening the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law (2008).

It explained that the PCACC confiscated and sealed the warehouses pursuant to a court order.

The sealing of the warehouses was in connection with the alleged misappropriation and diversion of more than N4 billion of Kano State’s funds paid as grants to Kano Agricultural Supply Company, it stated.

Also in custody is the suspect’s son, a co-signatory to a bank account belonging to the Association of Compassionate Friends to which N3.27 billion of Kano State’s funds were diverted, it stated.

The PCACC noted that the association was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, but its objective did not include conducting commercial business.

It also alleged that N480 million was diverted using the bank account of Limestone Processing Link, managed by the founder of the Association of Compassionate Friends.

It added that N400 million was used to open a fixed deposit account in the name of the principal suspect.

The PCACC also stated that the suspects would soon be arraigned.

(NAN)