By Kano State Set To Prosecute Official Diverting COVID19 Relief Materials
Kano Sate Government has declared that any government official caught in the act of diverting relief materials for personal use will be prosecuted.
The State Government through the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in a statement issued by it’s Chairman, Muhuyi Rimingado on Tuesday disclosed that the Commission had received complaints about some Local Government officials involved in the diversion of relief items meant to cushion the effects of lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in the State.
He said the council officials which included the chairmen were said to have indulged in sharing the items among their party officials and others believed to be their close associates.
He said the act is contrary to the guidelines which entail that vulnerable people are eligible to benefit from the palliatives.
He said, “Anything contrary to that offends the provision of section 26 of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (As Amended).
“It is worthy of note that these palliatives are donations from individuals and organisations aimed at reducing the sufferings of the most vulnerable members of the society irrespective of their religion or political inclination.
“It is not in any way a personal property that can be used for political purposes,” Rimingado said.
He warned that anybody found to have engaged in any shoddy act would face the wrath of the law.
“It is, therefore, hoped that all those involved in the distribution/management of the COVID-19 palliatives in Kano State will be guided by the law,” he said.
It was gathered that the Commission arrested the Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government, Kabiru Panshekara on Saturday, May 9th, 2020 over what was described as an abuse of power in the distribution of relief materials in his Council.
