Code of Conduct Tribunal suspends Kano anti-graft boss, Magaji

Muhyi Magaji, Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, has been suspended by the Code of Conduct Tribunal due to allegations of misconduct and breaches of public officer conduct.

Magaji, who is charged with suspected conflict of interest, fake asset declaration, and receiving bribes, was arraigned in Abuja on Thursday.

The CCT granted his plea for suspension, ordering him to step down from his position until the case was resolved.

The Kano State Government had previously taken the Federal Government to the state High Court for what it characterised as harassment and intimidation of the PCACC chairman by three federal agencies.

This followed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and the Code of Conduct Bureau inviting the PCACC and its staff to address questions about the state commission’s management from 2011 to the present.

However, in a statement issued Thursday, CCB spokesman Veronica Kato confirmed Magaji’s suspension by the CCT.

The statement stated, “The Code of Conduct Tribunal has suspended Muhuyi Magaji, Chairman of the Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission, today in Abuja on a 10-count corruption complaint lodged against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau on November 16, 2023.

“The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, delivered the verdict, establishing the tribunal’s competence and jurisdiction to hear the matter.

“He said that Muhuyi Magaji cannot continue to perform his office duties and obligations while on trial in order to prevent interfering with the case.” Hence the suspension.

“This is pending the outcome of the trial. The matter has been postponed until May 7 and 8, 2024, for hearing.”