- Abdullahi Ganduje and others illegally diverted ₦57.4 billion via several personal and corporate accounts
- Kano state government also charged them with converting the funds into dollars for their personal gain
- The state government earlier filed a lawsuit against Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife and six others
Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of Kano State, along with his Commissioner for Local Government Murtala Garo and two others, now face fresh fraud charges filed by the Kano State Government.
According to the charge sheet, they were accused of illegally diverting ₦57.4 billion via several personal and corporate accounts, including those of Local Government cashiers.
The charge sheet outlined that Garo, Lamin Sani, and Muhammad Takai have been charged with criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, falsifying statements or returns, and misappropriating funds.
Ganduje, others mismanaged statutory funds - Kano government
The state alleged that they mismanaged the statutory funds allocated to the 44 local governments, which were deposited into the State Joint Local Governments account from the Federation account.
The state government also charged them with converting the funds into dollars for their personal gain.
The state claimed they obtained a service apartment on Murtala Muhammad Way, a commercial property at Akoya Oxygen – x20868 Dubai in Tigerwood, plot 2201 on the 22nd floor of Damac Heights, Marsa Dubai Marina, and a multi-billion-naira hotel in Jabi, Abuja.
Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, others were earlier charged in Court
The state also identified filling stations on Gwarzo Road and the Eastern Bypass in Kano. The charge sheet reveals that the state will call 143 witnesses.
The Kano government earlier filed a lawsuit against the former governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; his wife, Hafsat Umar; and six others in the Kano High Court on April 4 for alleged fraud.
The six others involved are Ganduje’s son, Umar Abdullahi Umar; Abubakar Bawuro; Jibrilla Muhammad; Lamash Properties Ltd; Safari Textiles Ltd; and Lesage General Enterprises.
While the date for the fresh case of ₦57.4 billion is yet to be confirmed, the people of Kano State are on edge, waiting for the proceedings and hoping that justice and accountability will prevail in the corruption scandal.
Mamman, Melaye, 3 other Nigerian politicians who have collapsed in the face of corruption allegations
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that collapsing in the face of law and accountability by politicians had become quite notable in Nigeria.
Former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman joined the exclusive club by collapsing during his arraignment for an alleged N33 billion fraud. The report compiled other politicians who have also become known for their dramatic collapse.