High Court Registrar Arrested Over Alleged ₦20 Billion Scandal
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested the Registrar of the Kano High Court, his retired deputy, three lawyers, security personnel, and ten other individuals over their alleged involvement in a financial scandal exceeding 20 billion naira.
The Chairman of PCACC, Muhuyi Magaji, announced this during a press briefing in Kano. He explained that the commission uncovered a criminal network that specializes in seizing people’s lands using forged government documents, fake court rulings, and other fraudulent methods to acquire both public and private properties.
Magaji revealed that some lawyers, court officials, land registry staff, and security personnel were actively involved in the scheme, helping to manipulate the system for their personal gain.
“We discovered a syndicate that uses fake documents and court judgments to illegally take over properties. What makes this more alarming is the involvement of legal professionals and government officials in facilitating these crimes,” said Muhuyi Magaji.
The arrests followed an order from a Kano High Court, which directed the police to apprehend Suleman Ali, the alleged leader of the operation. Among those arrested were four officials from the Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning, while others were later granted bail.
During the press conference, the PCACC presented some of the evidence gathered during the investigation. These included counterfeit land allocation documents, forged fire service reports, and large sums of cash.
“One of the suspects, a DSS officer, allegedly offered a bribe of over two million naira to secure his release,” said Magaji, while commending the officer who rejected the bribe.
The commission also praised the Kano High Court, under Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, for supporting the investigation and granting the necessary orders for the arrests.
The PCACC chairman emphasized that no individual, regardless of their position, will escape justice if found guilty of corruption.
“If bribery could stop this investigation, it would have ended long ago. But with the support of the judiciary and the commitment of the Kano State Government, we remain determined to prosecute all those involved,” he said.
The investigation is still ongoing, with the commission uncovering more details about the operation and the extent of the fraudulent activities.
