Kano Police Take Action Over Missing N950K from Prominent Lawyer's Car
- A lawyer, Barrister Ahmad Sani Bawa, alleged that a sum of N950,000 and a valuable wristwatch went missing from his car after the Kano Road Traffic Agency impounded it
- The Kano state police command has launched a formal investigation into the incident and invited all parties involved for questioning
- KAROTA confirmed the allegation and explained why it won't comment on the incident at the moment
Kano, Kano state – The Kano state police command has launched an investigation into an allegation of theft by Barrister Ahmad Sani Bawa, a lawyer in the state, who claimed that the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) stole a sum of N950,000 and a valuable wristwatch from his car after the agency impounded it.
Source: Facebook
Allegations against KAROTA: Police launch investigation
The command's police public relations officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the development in a statement.
The spokesperson confirmed that the state's commissioner of police, Ibrahim Bakori, has ordered the questioning of all parties involved following the complaint.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has ordered that all parties involved be invited for thorough questioning and investigation,” Kiyawa stated.
Lawyer recounts ordeal with KAROTA officials
The incident began when Barrister Bawa allegedly parked his car legally, only to return and find that it was missing.
After a search, he traced the vehicle to a KAROTA office. However, upon recovering it, he discovered that a significant sum of N950,000 and a valuable wristwatch were missing.
“There is no reason for the KAROTA officials to have towed away my vehicle without informing me or leaving an official behind to inform me where it was taken to,” Bawa said.
He expressed deep distress over the agency's actions, stating it was an assault.
“This could be catastrophic, especially if one is suffering from high blood pressure, and this could be a trigger,” he lamented
The lawyer alleged that the manner in which his vehicle was taken felt like harassment and was tantamount to theft.
KAROTA confirms incident
In response, the Kano Road Traffic Agency, through its spokesperson Abubakar Ibrahim, acknowledged receiving a formal complaint letter from the police command.
While defending the agency's mandate to investigate any vehicle within the confines of the law, Ibrahim stated that KAROTA would refrain from further comment until the conclusion of the police investigation.
“We are not saying anything further pending the outcome of the investigation by the Kano state police command,” he said.
Source: Facebook
Tricycle riders decry extortion from KAROTA
Legit.ng previously reported that some KAROTA officials were recently attacked and injured along Zoo road in Kano by tricycle operators.
Speaking of the attack, one of the victims, a traffic official, said they were carrying out routine traffic operations when they were attacked. The agency’s Managing Director, Engr. Faisal Mahmud Kabir condemned the recent assaults, warning that such actions undermine public safety and the enforcement of traffic laws.
In response, the Chairman Kano State Tricycle Operators Association, Comrade Nazifi Gidan Kudi, said that while the incident is sad, he, however, claimed that the perpetrators are not members of their association.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Usman Bello Balarabe (Kano Correspondent) Kano's regional correspondent, Usman Bello Balarabe is a journalist, media strategist, and university lecturer in the state. He worked as an investigative journalist with Daily Trust Newspaper Nigeria. His career is passionately geared towards stimulating social justice, exposing corruption, ensuring good governance and accountability. In his over 7 years of journalism practice, he has authored investigations and numerous special and beat reports at the intersection of environment, health, education, agriculture, public spending, security, and politics.
Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan (Editorial Assistant) Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan is a Legit.ng journalist with over a year of experience writing for Punch Newspaper. He received his BSc in Criminology and Security Studies from FUOYE. His background in media communications and criminology, with practical experience in research, interviewing, and digital media, allows him to craft compelling narratives that drive positive change. Fadehan is an Editorial Assistant on Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng. He is committed to ethical journalism, leveraging his skills to create a meaningful impact. Reach him at abdul-hafeez.fadehan@corp.legit.ng or 070622666732.
