By Ramatu Garba
Kano, Dec. 19, 2025 (NAN) – In a significant demonstration of its role beyond criminal prosecution, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has disbursed a total of N40 million to individuals and businesses. The funds were recovered not through criminal convictions, but via the commission’s often-overlooked mandate for civil dispute resolution and mediation.
Executive Chairman Alhaji Sa’idu Yahaya presented symbolic cheques to beneficiaries at the commission’s headquarters, marking a deliberate shift in public strategy. “We have been doing this almost on a daily basis, but we felt it was time to start showcasing some of our milestones to the general public,” Yahaya stated, highlighting an effort to broaden public understanding of the agency’s functions.
Beyond Prosecution: The PCACC’s Civil Mandate
Yahaya clarified that the recoveries stemmed from Sections 9 and 15 of the PCACC Law, 2008 (as amended), which empower the commission to receive public complaints and mediate disputes between parties. This provision positions the PCACC as a unique hybrid institution—part ombudsman, part mediator, and part anti-corruption watchdog.
“The cases were civil in nature and did not involve criminal elements,” Yahaya explained. “Most of the disputes stemmed from commercial transactions, given Kano’s status as a major commercial centre.” This focus on commercial disputes is critical; it provides a faster, less costly, and less adversarial alternative to the overburdened conventional court system for resolving business conflicts, breach of contract issues, and partnership disagreements.
Breakdown of Recoveries and a New Transparency Measure
The chairman detailed specific beneficiary amounts, offering a transparent ledger of the commission’s work:
- N17 million for Abdulhakim and Brothers Enterprise
- N15 million for Adamu Kamal
- N2 million for Karry Consult and Family Nigeria Ltd.
- N1 million each for Nuruddin Usman, Zakiya Abdulrazak, and Isma’il Muhammad Indabawa.
Notably, Yahaya revealed that the public cheque presentation was an exception, not the standard procedure. “The commission usually pays recovered funds directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and avoid unnecessary contact between staff and recipients,” he said. This direct-bank policy is a crucial internal anti-corruption safeguard, minimizing the risk of cash handling or secondary solicitation.
Strategic Impact and Public Awareness
The event served a dual purpose: returning funds to rightful owners and launching a public awareness campaign. “This is the first time since I assumed office in August that we are issuing cheques,” Yahaya noted. “We decided to do this only to showcase some of our achievements… to encourage members of the public with similar disputes to approach the commission for redress without stress.”
This outreach is vital for the commission’s efficacy. Many citizens and small businesses may be unaware that they can seek the PCACC’s help for non-criminal financial disputes, potentially saving them significant legal fees and time.
Speaking on behalf of fellow beneficiaries, Mallam Isma’il Indabawa commended the agency. The commission reaffirmed its openness to complaints from both public and private sectors, pledging to continue handling matters “professionally and in accordance with the law.”
Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Muhammad Lawal
RG/BEN/KLM
