The Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission has charged former governor Abdullahi Ganduje with new corruption and maladministration offences, News About Nigeria reports.
The commission’s chairman, Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed on Tuesday that an ongoing investigation revealed that N51.3 billion was diverted to unauthorised individuals by local government officials when Ganduje was in office.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, Magaji accused the Ganduje administration of syphoning funds under the guise of road renovation, only to divert the money to Bureau de Change operators.
Magaji detailed one instance where N1 billion was reportedly withdrawn monthly from the state coffers for road renovation but was redirected to Bureau de Change operators instead.
He also noted a separate case involving the transfer of N4 billion from Kano’s consolidated revenue account to an agricultural company.
“We have piled a series of cases. We have a case whereby N1 billion in April last year (2023) was removed from government coffers under the allocation of renovating 30 roads in the metropolis and it was taken away, sent to Bureau de Change.
“We have a case of N4 billion whereby it was sent from the consolidated revenue account of Kano State to an agricultural company. All these cases are before the court.”
The chairman said that these revelations represent only a fraction of the corruption unearthed so far.
“What is happening now is a tip of the iceberg,” he remarked.
Magaji disclosed that the commission has filed multiple cases related to these findings, with ongoing legal proceedings.
In response to these developments, the Kano State government has announced plans to arraign Abdullahi Ganduje, along with his wife and son, for money laundering later this week.
Meanwhile, members of the Ganduje Ward in Kano State suspended Ganduje over corruption allegations on Monday.
Speaking on the suspension in a press conference, the Executive Council of Ganduje Ward stated during a press conference led by Haruna Gwanjo in Kano that Ganduje must address corruption allegations, particularly regarding a longstanding dollar case.
Recall that the Kano State Government had recently filed charges against the former governor, his wife, and others, accusing them of bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of funds amounting to billions of naira.
According to the charges, Ganduje, while serving as governor, allegedly received $200,000 as a personal benefit from a contractor awarded a government contract.
This action, the charge sheet said, is considered corruption under Kano State law.
