A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Friday ordered the release of a former Kano state commissioner for works and infrastructure, Idris Wada-Saleh, from detention pending the determination of the originating motion.

Mr Wada-Saleh, a commissioner under immediate past Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, was on July 4, arraigned by the Kano state public complaint and anti-corruption commission (PCACC) at a Kano Chief Magistrates’ Court on a two-count count charge of giving false information and cheating.

He, however, filed a motion exparte on July 11, through his counsel Abdulgafar Murtala Esq, urging the court to restrain the commission from further detaining or intimidating him.

The respondents in the suit included the PCACC, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Sale-Minjibir, Muhyi Magaji Rimingado, Kano state government, the state Attorney General, AIG Zone 1, the state commissioner of police, the State Security Service and Civil Defense Corps.

Justice S. A. Amobeda granted the prayer and ordered the first to third respondents to forthwith release the plaintiff from detention.

He also ordered the respondents, their agents, servants, privies or anyone acting on their behalf to restrain them from further arresting, detaining or intimidating the plaintiff.

“The second respondent is hereby ordered to stay any other proceedings in respect of this case pending the hearing of the originating motion.

“This matter shall be given accelerated hearing,” he said.

Mr Amobeda adjourned the matter until July 19 for hearing.

The former commissioner was accused of misappropriating N1 billion meant for rehabilitation of some roads in Kano.

(NAN)