A KANO High Court presided over by Justice Sunusi Ado Ma’aji has issued an interim order restraining the Inspector General of Police and other authorities 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 are the Kano State Attorney General, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, and Rimingado.
The defendants include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone One, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, ASP Ahmed Bello, and Bala Muhammad Inuwa.
The court order, granted on Monday, prohibits the defendants and their agents from taking any actions that could interfere with the rights of the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs.
In the ruling, Justice Ma’aji stated: “The defendants/respondents, either by themselves, their agents, officers, privies, representatives, or assigns, are hereby restrained from inviting, arresting, detaining, or harassing the officers of the 2nd plaintiff/applicant or interfering with the rights of the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs/applicants generally.”
The court also restrained the police from compelling Rimingado to attend any police office, including their headquarters in Abuja or any other location, on January 27, 2025, or any subsequent date pending the determination of the motion on notice.
However, the Nigeria Police Force has debunked claims by Mr. Rimingado that he was arrested, describing the allegations as misleading. In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police clarified that Mr. Rimingado was only invited to address a petition against him.
The statement read: “The Nigeria Police Force has taken note of recent claims made by Mr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, the Chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, regarding his alleged arrest by police authorities. We wish to clarify that Mr. Magaji was not arrested; instead, he was invited by the Force pertaining to a petition received against him.
“On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit received a petition against Mr. Muhuyi. In accordance with standard investigative protocols, he was invited to engage with police officials as part of due process in addressing the matter. Given his role as a public servant and a respected individual within society, it is expected of Mr. Muhuyi to cooperate with the police to ensure a proper investigation is carried out, rather than seeking to create media attention.
“Any assertions indicating that Mr. Magaji was arrested are unfounded and misleading. We urge the media and general public to avoid disseminating misinformation that may cause unnecessary alarm or confusion. The Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law and following due process in all investigations.”
The case has been adjourned pending further proceedings on the motion on notice.
CISLAC Kicks
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has criticised the reported arrest of Rimingado by the officers of the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Monitoring Unit.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, CISLAC alleged that the arrest was a case of ‘corruption fighting back’.
The organisation also cautioned that such actions would undermine Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and erode public trust in state institutions.
Rimingado’s arrest was reportedly linked to the PCACC’s ongoing investigation into properties allegedly associated with a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The properties, believed to be proceeds of crime, were seized following a court order during the investigation of a former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company.
The anti-graft chairman was said to have been detained on Friday evening but was later released on bail the same night.
He has, however, been summoned to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further questioning on Monday.
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Rafsanjani urged the I-G to ensure that the independence of the police force was not compromised by political interests.
He said that CISLAC called for the protection of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
Rafsanjani also emphasised that justice must be upheld and political interference resisted to preserve the integrity of state institutions. (NAN)
