Engr. Idris Wada Saleh, a former commissioner for works and infrastructure, was remanded in the custody of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday due to an alleged N1 billion fraud, according to an order from a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kano.

A former commissioner to Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the defendant is facing trial on two counts involving providing false information, making a false return, and cheating.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. Salisu Tahir, Assistant Director, PCACC, the defendant was taken into custody on July 3 at around 2:30 p.m.

He claimed that around 2023, the defendant gave N1 billion to Arafat Construction, No Stone Construction, and Multi Resources for the rehabilitation of 30 roads in the city, noting that the projects weren’t completed.

Tahir requested that the court remand the defendant to PCACC custody for a 14-day period under section 295(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2019 so that they could finish the investigation.

“The defendant is required to respond to a case involving N1 billion that belongs to the Kano State government.

Six voucher exhibits and seven deposition paragraphs from one Insp. Sa’id Ilu support the exparte application, according to Tahir.

In the interest of justice and public outcry, he pleaded with the court to grant the application so that the agency could bring a legitimate charge against the defendant.

The accused entered a not-guilty plea to the accusation.

The prosecutor claims that the offense violated both section 322 of the Penal Code and section 26 of the PCACC 2010 as amended.

In accordance with sections 35(6) and 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the defense attorney, Mr. Mustapha Idris, urged the court to grant the defendant bail.

In accordance with sections 168 and 172 of the ACJL Kano State 2019 and orders 5 rules 1 and 3 of the ACJL rules 2023, the defendant is presumed innocent and the offense is bailable, he said.

Chief Magistrate Tijjani Sale-Minjibir mandated the defendant’s 12-day detention in PCACC’s care.

He set a decision on the bail application back until July 14th.

Wonders shall never cease.

Okay