CISLAC Condemns Attack on Kano Anti-Graft Chair, Urges IGP to Stand Against Political Pressure

The recent arrest and subsequent release of Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, by Inspector General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit, has been denounced by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, or CISLAC.

CISLAC characterized the episode as a blatant instance of “corruption fighting back” in a statement issued by its executive director, Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani. The group cautioned that such incidents weaken public trust and damage Nigeria’s collective anti-corruption efforts.

The circumstances of Rimingado’s detention were challenged by Mr. Rafsanjani, who pointed out that they seem to be related to the commission’s current investigations into a high-profile case involving assets purportedly tied to a well-known national figure within the All Progressives Congress, or APC.

According to reports, Mr. Rimingado was arrested on Friday night after properties thought to represent the profits of crime were seized.

The Kano Anti-Graft Agency conducted the investigation and prosecution of the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company in compliance with a court judgment and its enabling law.

Later that evening, Mr. Rimingado was freed on bail; nevertheless, he was requested to appear at Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday for additional interrogation.

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The Inspector General of Police must not permit desperate politicians to exploit his position to thwart anti-corruption initiatives or protect influential people from justifiable inquiries, Mr. Rafsanjani declared.

“Actions like these undermine public trust in the impartiality of state institutions and damage the police force’s reputation.”

He went on to say that such meddling undermines President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s professed commitment to accountability and openness and harms Nigeria’s reputation internationally, especially in the eyes of investors and the international community.

In order to guarantee that justice is served and Nigeria’s anti-corruption system is maintained, CISLAC emphasized in its conclusion that political meddling in law enforcement must be opposed.