A former managing director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company, Bala Muhammad, and his son, Bala Jnr., who are on trial for allegedly diverting N4 billion in state funds, were granted bail by a Kano High Court on Thursday.
Muhammad was charged with criminal breach of trust, making false statements or returns, and official corruption after the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission looked into the allegations. Muhammad was then brought before Justice Hafsat Sani.
On November 2, 2023, after the charges were read to him, he entered a not guilty plea to all of them and was remanded in custody.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
During the Thursday court session, Justice Sani admitted the defendants to bail and ordered the two sureties to swear to an affidavit of means proving gainful employment or engagement. The affidavit must be supported by documentation proving each surety’s residential address, office address, and continuous registered business.
The court-affiliated police must provide an affidavit verifying all the information deposited in the sureties’ affidavit, and the sureties must also present tax documents covering the three years prior that the court registrar must validate.
All sureties must be Kano metropolis residents, and Muhammad must also obtain a letter of identification from a law-abiding Nigerian citizen who works or transacts business within the court’s territorial jurisdiction.
It is anticipated that the primary lawsuit’s hearing will start on December 6, 2023.