The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a man identified as Tasiu Adamu Maje over the alleged unauthorised sale and leasing of a government-owned horse stable at the Race Course, popularly known as Filin Sukuwa.

The Acting Chairman of the commission, Hafsat Kutama, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the development followed complaints from Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai (Sharif) over alleged attempts to transfer the government property to private individuals without official approval.

According to the commission, its preliminary investigation found that the Kano State Sports Commission, which is responsible for the allocation and management of horse stables in the state, had neither approved nor authorised the transactions involving the property.

The anti-corruption agency said individuals connected to the alleged transactions were invited and interviewed during the investigation.

It further stated that the horse stable had not been officially allocated to any individual, either through sale or lease, and that the document allegedly used by Maje to facilitate the transactions was not an approved or recognised document of the Kano State Sports Commission.

The commission alleged that Maje agreed to sell the horse stable to Yunusa for N4.5 million, while also collecting rent from Yakasai for the same property.

According to the investigation, Yakasai was expected to pay N180,000 in rent and had reportedly paid N150,000 at the time the matter came under investigation.

The commission said it had commenced steps to recover the property and return it to the Kano State Sports Commission.

Maje is also expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction after the completion of the relevant investigative procedures.

The commission warned individuals against attempting to convert government-owned property into personal assets or using public property as a source of private income.

It said such actions would attract investigation and appropriate legal action where evidence establishes wrongdoing.

The development highlights the commission’s ongoing scrutiny of alleged misuse and unauthorised dealings involving public assets in Kano State.

The allegations against Maje are yet to be determined by a court, and the suspect remains entitled to due process under the law.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia