A Chief Magistrate Court in Kano has ordered the remand of former Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Idris Wada Saleh, who served under the immediate past governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The remand was granted for a period of 12 days in the custody of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anticorruption Commission. Engr. Saleh is being held in connection with an alleged N1 billion road project scandal.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh Minjibir, issued the remand order following Engr. Saleh’s arrest and subsequent arraignment by the commission. The Prosecution Counsel and Secretary, Legal Adviser of the commission, Salisu Tahir, informed the court that they had filed an exparte application seeking the defendant’s remand for 14 days. They requested the extended custody period to carry out further investigations and file formal charges against Engr. Saleh. Tahir presented six exhibits, including payment vouchers of three companies and a final address dated July 4, 2023, supporting their application for remand.
In response, the Defendant’s Counsel, Mustapha Idris, acknowledged the exparte application by the prosecution but also submitted a bail application on behalf of the defendant. The prosecution counsel objected to the bail application.
After considering the arguments, the presiding judge ruled in favor of a 12-day remand instead of the requested 14 days. The judge further directed that Engr. Saleh be held under good conditions in the custody of the commission. The court adjourned the matter until July 14, 2023, for a ruling on the bail application.
During the proceedings, Engr. Saleh pleaded not guilty when the First Information Report (FIR) was read to him. He faces charges related to false statement and return under section 26 of the Public Complaint and Anticorruption law 2008, as amended in 2010, as well as alleged cheating under section 322 of the penal code.
Engr. Saleh was arrested on Monday evening by the commission, along with four others, in connection with an alleged fraud involving the sum of N1 billion meant for the repairs of 30 roads within the state.
Source: Vanguard
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