Alleged Graft: Uneasy Calm In Kano Over Planned Arraignment Of Ganduje, Others

Kano State’s political temperature seems to be rising to a disturbing point since the weekend as a result of apprehension among residents over the planned arraignment of the immediate-past governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, some of his family members, former aides and firms, before the State High Court over allegations of corruption.

The State capital city is apparently polarised along two political divides following the formal summon extended to the former two-time governor, his wife and six others by a Kano State High Court last Tuesday over allegations of financial impropriety while in office.

LEADERSHIP reports that Ganduje and six others will be arraigned before the State High Court 4 on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, on charges bothering on allegations of bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds, including the purported acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38bn in bribes.

Other accused persons, as listed in the writ of summon, include Prof. Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The complainant is the Kano State government under the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

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LEADERSHIP reports that the NNPP-led administration in the state had last week launched a political assault against Ganduje on two major grounds by inaugurating two Commissions of Inquiry to probe Ganduje’s eighty-year tenure on one hand, and electoral violence and killings in the State within the same duration on the other hand.

However, the planned arraignment of Ganduje in court over alleged corruption charges has dominated political discourse on local radio stations, and the social media in the State.

Our correspondent reports that the heat generated by the impending court action appeared to have taken away the beauty of Sallah celebration in Kano city as discussions on the arraignment of the former Governor dominated every space particularly the fear for safety of the people of the ancient city.

Many residents who spoke over the development expressed apprehension that the political war may snowball into a security breach against the backdrop of deep-seated animosity between the two rival political parties in the State.

However, reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, CP Hussaini Gumel, in a chat with our correspondent, however, assured that, “the city is safe, and we will continue to make it safe for all dwellers.”