Court docket Orders Detention of Kano Electoral Fee Chairman, Kwankwaso Ally
A Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja has ordered the detention of the Chairman of the Kano State Impartial Electoral Fee, Prof. Sani Malumfashi, over an alleged N1 billion fraud case.
The court docket additionally ordered that two different senior officers of the fee be saved in custody. They’re the KANSIEC Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and a Deputy Director within the accounts division, Ado Garba.
The three officers had been introduced earlier than Justice James Omotosho on Tuesday. They had been charged with six counts of fraud and cash laundering linked to public funds belonging to the electoral physique.
The costs are related to transactions stated to have taken place between November and December 2024. Prosecutors instructed the court docket that the officers illegally took possession of N450 million, N310 million, and N260 million at completely different instances throughout the interval.
In line with the allegations, the cash was moved from KANSIEC {bank} accounts into accounts operated by a personal firm generally known as SLM Agro World Farm. The transfers had been reportedly carried out by way of Jaiz {Bank}.
The funds had been described as proceeds of illegal exercise below the Cash Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
When the fees had been learn to them, the three defendants pleaded not responsible to all accusations.
After their arraignment, the court docket ordered that they be remanded on the Kuje Correctional Centre whereas their bail purposes had been thought-about.
On Wednesday, Justice Omotosho granted them bail. Every defendant was given bail within the sum of N200 million.
The court docket directed that every of them should present two sureties of the identical quantity. The sureties should personal property throughout the Federal Capital Territory valued at not lower than N100 million.
They need to additionally submit affidavits of means. Different necessities embrace proof of tax fee for the final three years, latest passport pictures, and licensed {bank} statements.
The defendants had been additional ordered to deposit their worldwide passports with the court docket registrar.
Though the prosecution didn’t oppose the bail request, the choose confused that the accused individuals would stay in custody till all bail circumstances are totally met.
Justice Omotosho famous that the offences are bailable and never capital in nature. Nonetheless, he warned that the court docket would strictly implement compliance with the bail phrases.
The case has been adjourned to March 4, 2026, for the graduation of trial.
Nonetheless, the matter has drawn public consideration as a result of it entails an electoral establishment answerable for conducting native authorities elections in Kano State.