Ex-Kano Deputy Gov Gwarzo Accused Of Diverting ₦308m Prayer Funds For Clerics

The Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Tsangaya Education, Sheikh Musa Falaki, has accused the immediate-past deputy governor of the State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, of allegedly diverting ₦308 million earmarked for special prayer sessions across the state’s 44 local government areas.

Falaki made the allegation during a video interview aired by Hikima Radio, claiming that the funds were collected for the purpose of disbursing to Islamic clerics but were never used for the intended purpose.

According to him, the former leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State had resolved that the 44 local government area councils should contribute ₦44 million monthly for seven months to sponsor special prayers in the State.

He explained that he and Sheikh Ibrahim Sheshi Maihula were designated to coordinate the prayer sessions but were unaware that funds were allegedly being disbursed in their names.

“The arrangement was that I and Sheikh Ibrahim Sheshi Maihula would oversee the prayers, but we never received any money and never organised any prayers,” Falaki said.

He stated that they only became aware of the alleged payments after they were invited by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to provide explanations during an ongoing investigation.

“It was during the investigation that we learnt that ₦44 million had allegedly been released every month for seven months, making a total of ₦308 million,” he said.

Falaki alleged that because neither he nor Sheikh Maihula received the funds or conducted the prayer programme, the entire amount was allegedly diverted by the former deputy governor Gwarzo, who is currently the governorship candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the State.

He further claimed that the matter formed part of a broader investigation by PCACC, during which Gwarzo was reportedly directed to refund more than ₦700 million allegedly diverted from the treasuries of Kano State’s 44 local government area councils.

As of the time of filing this report, Gwarzo has not publicly responded to the allegations.