Court Restrains Police From Arresting Kano Anti-graft Boss
A Kano High Court, presided over by Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji, has issued an interim order restraining the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kano State Commissioner of Police (CP), and others from inviting, arresting, or harassing the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado.
The plaintiffs in the suit include the Kano State Attorney General, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, and Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, while the defendants are the Nigerian Police Force, the IGP, the AIG Zone One, the Kano Commissioner of Police, ASP Ahmed Bello, and Bala Muhammad Inuwa.
Justice Ma’aji granted the order after an ex parte motion was filed by the plaintiffs.
The court order reads: “An Order of Interim Injunction is hereby granted restraining the Defendants/Respondents, either by themselves, their agents, officers, privies, representatives, or assigns, from further inviting, arresting, detaining, or harassing the officers of the 2nd Plaintiffs/Applicants or interfering with the 2nd and 3rd Plaintiffs/Applicants’ rights in relation to this suit, including compelling him to attend their office in Abuja or any other location in the country on 27th January 2025 or any other subsequent date, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
“An Order of Interim Injunction is hereby granted restraining the Defendants/Respondents from taking any further steps in connection with the matter and directing all parties to maintain status quo ante bellum or stay all actions pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The court also granted leave for the plaintiffs to serve the originating summons on some of the defendants outside the court’s jurisdiction at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The court further appointed Red Star Express Plc., Courier Services, as a special bailiff to deliver the originating processes and subsequent court documents to the concerned defendants in Abuja.
The case was adjourned to 10th February 2025 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The restraining order follows a reported attempt by police operatives to arrest Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado in connection with an investigation into the alleged diversion of N4 billion by the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company Limited (KASCO), Bala Muhammad Inuwa. The anti-graft boss had earlier been granted bail but was directed to report to the police headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 27th January 2025, for further questioning.
