Muhuyi Magaji, the immediate past chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), was arrested by Nigeria Police Force operatives on Friday, December 5, 2025, in his chambers in Kano. He was then transported under heavy guard—escorted by about 40 armed officers—to the police headquarters in Abuja, where he was held for over 24 hours before being released on bail. Magaji was instructed to report back on Wednesday, December 10, and to surrender his international passport.
### Reasons for the Arrest, According to Magaji
In a statement detailing his ordeal, Magaji directly attributed the arrest to his ongoing role as the lead prosecution counsel in the high-profile multibillion-naira **Dala Inland Dry Port corruption case**. He described the operation as “politically motivated” and designed to intimidate him amid sensitive investigations. Key points from his account:
– **No initial warrant or evidence**: Police refused to present an arrest warrant during the arrest or transport, only serving him with charges upon arrival in Abuja. The charges include malicious allegations and defamation, which he claims stem from his prosecutorial work.
– **Link to powerful interests**: Magaji suggested the move was retaliation from “politically exposed persons” (PEPs) targeted in PCACC probes during his tenure, including former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his family members. These cases involved allegations of corruption, diversion of public funds, and abuse of office.
– **Broader pattern of interference**: He highlighted this as part of efforts to derail ongoing prosecutions, noting that his evidence and testimony are crucial to cases that could expose systemic graft in Kano’s public sector.
### Official Reactions and Context
– **Kano State Government’s Response**: The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkareem Maude (SAN), publicly condemned the arrest as unconstitutional and a potential security threat. Maude argued it could be an attempt by external political actors to weaponize federal institutions against Kano’s anti-corruption efforts, aiming to “destabilize the state” and halt investigations into PEPs.
– **Historical Context**: This isn’t Magaji’s first brush with controversy. In January 2025, he was briefly arrested over an alleged N4 billion fraud case involving a former managing director of the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA). He claimed that incident was also orchestrated by a suspect to use police as a tool for intimidation. His tenure at PCACC (ending recently) was marked by aggressive probes into high-level corruption, earning him both praise for transparency and criticism from affected elites.
Magaji has vowed to continue his legal and advocacy work, emphasizing that such tactics only underscore the validity of the corruption allegations he’s pursuing. The case remains fluid, with potential court appearances looming. For the latest developments, monitoring official statements from Kano State or the Nigeria Police Force is recommended.