By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Kano State Government has filed an eight-count charge against former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others, including his wife Hafsat and son Umar, accusing them of various financial crimes.
The charges include collecting $200,000 from a contractor as well as misappropriating funds earmarked for the purchase of face masks and hospital equipment.
In a charge sheet filed before a Kano High Court, the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP)-led state government said the offence contravened Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Commission Commission Law 2008.
Other defendants in the case were Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lesaga General Enterprises.
The state government, under Governor Abba Yusuf, also accused Ganduje of collecting $210,000 kickback from “people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contract and or project for the remodeling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent)”.
Ganduje and those close to him had denied the allegation, saying it was designed to bring the former governor to disrepute.
The offenses outlined in the charge sheet include official corruption, criminal conspiracy, and breach of trust.
If found guilty, the former governor, now All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman, could face significant penalties under the relevant laws governing such financial misconduct in Kano State.
