afrol News, 16 April - Kano State's Anti-Corruption Directorate recovery of more than N40 million from the public and private sectors within three years is a clear testimony that Nigeria is recording success in the fight against rampant corruption.

The anti-graft body has so far received 1,431 corruption-related complaints, the agency's Director General, Mallam Aminu Inuwa Muhammed, told journalists.

While the agency had investigated 20 state chairmen on allegations of misappropriation of public funds, few others remained indicted.

"Some of the chairmen investigated and indicted in the report that we submitted to Governor Ibrahim Shekarau could not come back as chairmen as the governor advised that the positions should be left for honest people,” Mr Muhammed said.

Of the 78 cases on corruption submitted for prosecution, 72 had been rejected by the courts for lack of credible evidence. More than 250 cases of corruption were reported to the Kano agency.

But Muhammed said the "directorate is still calling for an enabling law so that we can start prosecuting those found guilty.”

He said as part of its efforts to uproot corruption in Kano State, the agency had visited 44 local government areas to sensitise people. The anti-corruption chief was optimistic of eradicating corrupt practices in the state, considering Governor Shekarau's tough stance that there should be no mercy on corrupt public officials.

Since he came to power last year, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has been stamping on official corruption. In that several officials, including Senators and Governors, have been indicted on corruption in the oil-rich West African country.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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