The Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, in Kano State has withdrawn from the probe into the alleged diversion and rebagging of rice palliatives in the state.
The Chairman of the Commission, Muhyi Magaji, made disclosed this at a press briefing in Kano.
Magaji, while speaking to newsmen, explained that fresh findings have led the Commission to conclude that the rice in question belongs to a private individual, not the Federal Government or the general public.
“The Commission has determined that the rice is owned by an individual. Since the Federal Government has not laid claim to the consignment, we are left with no choice but to withdraw from this case,” he stated.
Controversy erupted when reports went viral that bags of rice bearing the President’s image and the inscription ‘Not for sale’ were being rebagged into generic bags, allegedly to be sold in the open market.
Regardless, Magaji confirmed that the Commission’s scope of authority had reached its limit after the new ownership claims were substantiated.
“It is true that the rebagging was done using sacks with the President’s picture and the words ‘not for sale,’ but as an anti-graft agency, we cannot proceed further now that an individual has provided proof of ownership and no official complaint has come from the Federal Government,” he clarified.
Magaji stressed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability but noted that it would not act beyond its mandate.
The case has triggered widespread public outcry, with many questioning the rebagging process and its implications for the integrity of government palliative programs.
The withdrawal of the PCACC has left many unanswered questions about the original purpose of the rice and the legality of the rebagging process.
Kano anti-graft agency withdraws from rice palliative diversion case