The administration of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state has launched legal proceedings against former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, also the chair of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for alleged embezzlement of N5.6 billion from Kano’s treasury and accepting bribes exceeding $413,000 from public works contractors.
Exposed following the expiration of his gubernatorial immunity in May 2023, Ganduje now faces an array of corruption charges, with 15 witnesses ready to testify against him in the Kano High Court.
The allegations stem from a notorious 2018 video that captured Ganduje stuffing American dollars into his traditional babanriga, sparking nationwide outrage and reinforcing suspicions of widespread corruption among state governors.
Despite denying the authenticity of the video, Ganduje remained shielded from prosecution by constitutional immunity until the end of his tenure.
However, Governor Yusuf’s administration, representing the rival New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), is determined to hold him accountable.
The legal onslaught extends to Ganduje’s family members and affiliated companies implicated in the misappropriation of funds, with charges filed against his wife, son, and three associated firms.
Among the litany of accusations, Ganduje stands accused of diverting funds allocated for COVID-19 supplies, orchestrating land grabs, and orchestrating the undervalued sale of state assets for personal gain.
Backed by compelling evidence, including testimonies from eyewitnesses and forensic experts, the case signals a reckoning for Ganduje, whose ascent to the APC chairmanship has been marred by scandal and controversy.
