Sources close to Kaduna State Government have revealed reasons behind the arrest and detention of Bashir Sa’idu, a onetime Chief of Staff to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

On Tuesday, Mr Sa’idu, a top political ally of Mr El-Rufai, was arrested by the operatives of the state anti-banditry police outfit at Rigachikun area, allegedly on the orders of the state government.

Mr Sa’idu’s arrest was seen as a political witch-hunt against perceived opponents of Governor Uba Sani.

But sources disclosed that Mr Sa’idu was arrested following a petition to the police, accusing the former chief of staff of money laundering to the tune of N3,960,000.00 and criminal breach of trust, including criminal misappropriation, stealing and malicious conversion of N244,000,000.

The source added that, “by the combined provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act, the Nigeria Police Force was established to primarily protect lives and properties of Nigerian citizens, public funds inclusive.

“For this reason, it is not out of place for any police officer to carry out arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone accused of committing any offence, with or without formal complaint, provided a prima facie case is established against the accused.

“In any case, government can not turn a blind eye to allegations of Misappropriation, Stealing, Money Laundering and Criminal Conversion of Public Funds.

“So, to impute that the arrest of Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu was done by Operation Fushin Kada, formerly Operation Yaki, which was established to hunt down bandits and other criminal elements, is now being used to harass political opponents, is not just preposterous but a red-herring to divert the weighty allegations against the accused.

“The Nigerian Police is in receipt of a petition against Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, accusing him of Money Laundering to the tune of N3,960,000.00 and Criminal Breach of Trust, including Criminal Misappropriation, Stealing and Malicious Conversion of N244,000,000.

“The accused is still under serious Criminal Investigation for official Stealing, Wrongful Conversion, Criminal Breach of Trust, Breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers, amongst numerous alleged criminal offences, contrary to the provisions of several Nigerian Criminal Codifications.

“The accused who is now in detention, had held various appointments in Kaduna State Government, including Commissioner of Local Governments, Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance between 2015 and 2023.

“Around June 2021 or thereabouts, he sold hard currency belonging to Kaduna State Government to the tune of $45 million, equivalent to N18,450,000 at the ridiculous rate of N410 per dollar, instead of the parallel market value of N22,410 at N498 per dollar, with Criminal intent, thereby causing loss to the Government in the sum of N3,960,000.

“The difference of N3,960,000 was suspected to be laundered by Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu and the implication of this breaches Section 18 of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“In addition, sometime in 2018 or 2020 or thereabouts, the same Mohammed Bashir Sai’du served as Chairman of the Committee that sold Government Houses at Marafa Estate in Kaduna metropolis.

“The sum of N244 million or thereabouts was realised as proceeds from that sale. The accused could not account for the money, despite numerous requests for him to do so, by relevant Government officials. This constitutes Criminal Breach of Trust by a Public Servant, contrary to Section 300 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State 2017.

“Equally, it will be recalled that Kaduna State House of Assembly had recently carried out investigations, in the exercise of its Constitutional mandate, on monies expended and contracts awarded.

“Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu was found wanting and the report of the investigation was forwarded to some key anti-corruption agencies like the Code of Conduct Bureau, Independent Corrupt Practice and Related Offences Commission and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”

The source added that contrary to rumour making the rounds, Mr Sa’idu is still being investigated by both EFCC and ICPC and his international passport is being withheld.