A Magistrate Court in Kano has ordered the arrest of Kumbotso Local Government Council chairman, Malam Kabiru Ado-Panshekara, over a charge of criminal breach of trust in the distributing of the COVID-19 palliative.
The bench warrant was issued by the presiding Judge, Magistrate Musa Ibrahim, on Wednesday after the defendant refused to appear in court.
In a statement made by the prosecution counsel, Mr Salisu Tahir, the defendant on May 9, 2020, was given 1,632 forms of COVID-19 palliatives to distribute to the people because of his honourary position in the community.
Tahir added that the defendant who is the Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Council dishonestly diverted some of the COVID-19 palliatives from vulnerable people to people that were not supposed to benefit from the distribution.
“The defendant dishonestly diverted some of the forms to persons that were not supposed to enjoy the COVID-19 palliatives,” he said
On the other hand, the defense counsel, Mr. Ibrahim Adamu, told the court he is not sure why the defendant did not appear in court as one of Ado-Panshekara’s aides called earlier stating they were on their way.
Tahir added that the offense contravened section 315 of the penal code law and section 26 of Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (As amended) and in this respect urged the court to issue a bench warrant to the defendant for violating the court summon slated for 9:00 a.m on May 13.
On delivering the final verdict, the Judge Musa Ibrahim adjourned the case till May 27, 2020.
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