By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested one Tasiu Adamu Maje over the alleged illegal sale and leasing of a government-owned horse stable located at the Race Course, popularly known as Filin Sukuwa, Kano.
In a statement signed by the Acting Chairman of the Commission Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, Esq. stressed that, The arrest followed complaints submitted by Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai (Sharif), alleging that the suspect unlawfully sold and leased the government property to private individuals without legal authority.
Investigations by the Commission revealed that the alleged transactions were carried out without the knowledge or approval of the Kano State Sports Commission, the agency legally responsible for the allocation and management of horse stables in the state.
According to the Commission, the Sports Commission neither approved nor recognised any sale or lease of the horse stable, which remains government property. It also found that the document used by the suspect to facilitate the transactions was not an official document of the Sports Commission and had allegedly been used in dealings involving two different individuals.
The investigation further revealed that the suspect allegedly agreed to sell the horse stable to Muhammad Amir Yunusa for ₦4.5 million while also collecting ₦150,000 out of an agreed ₦180,000 rent from Usman Bala Yakasai for the same property.
PCACC declared the transactions unauthorised, null and void, stressing that no individual has the authority to sell, lease or transfer government property without the required legal and administrative approval. The Commission said it has commenced steps to recover the property and return it to the Kano State Sports Commission.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, where the allegations will be determined in accordance with the law.
The Commission warned individuals against converting public assets for personal gain, emphasizing that government property is not for private sale or unauthorised leasing. It also advised members of the public to verify the ownership and legal status of any government property with the appropriate authorities before entering into any transaction.
PCACC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public assets, promoting transparency and accountability, and urged residents to report suspected cases of corruption, abuse of office and illegal disposal of government property through its official reporting channels.
