APC National Chair, Ganduje, Wife and Son Charged with $413,000, N1.38bn Bribery

The Kano State Government has filed criminal charges against Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past governor and the current All Progressive Congress(APC) national chairman, over alleged bribery totalling $413,000 and N1.38 billion.

The charges, which include accusations of official corruption and conspiracy, involved a series of transactions dating back to Ganduje’s tenure as governor.

The state government has assembled 15 witnesses to testify against Ganduje.

His wife, Hafsat, and son, Umar, have been joined as co-defendants in the charge sheet. Additionally, several individuals and companies are listed as defendants, including Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The charges specifically detailed when Ganduje allegedly received kickbacks and benefits from contractors working on government projects during his time in government.

“That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, sometime between the period of January 10, 2016 or thereabouts, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant in the government of Kano State, corruptly asked for and received the sum of $200,000  being benefit for yourself from one of the beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Kano State Government on your instruction and approval as part of your function as the Governor of Kano State, thereby committed the offence of official corruption, contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law No 2 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.”

In the second count, the state government said Ganduje, on February 10, 2017, “dishonestly and corruptly to your advantage collected a kickback of the sum of $213,000 being money generated from people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contact and/or project for the remodelling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent),” the charges read.

These include accusations of soliciting and receiving funds for personal gain and misappropriating public funds earmarked for critical health sector equipment.

The state’s Attorney General, Muhuyi Magaji, emphasised the legal authority behind the charges, citing relevant sections of the constitution and criminal justice laws.

Meanwhile, Governor Abba Yusuf has launched two committees to investigate further allegations of misappropriation of public property, political violence, and missing persons during Ganduje’s administration.

Governor Yusuf inaugurated the committees and reiterated his commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability in governance.

He emphasised the need to address political violence and prevent future occurrences, particularly in light of recent incidents in the state.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf and Justice Faruk Lawan have been appointed chairpersons of the respective commissions, tasked with unravelling the complexities of political violence and financial misconduct.

The governor has urged the committees to remain impartial and thorough in their investigations and promised swift action upon their conclusion.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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