A coalition of 51 anti-corruption organizations has submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the immediate arrest and prosecution of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Governor of Kano State and current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The petition, dated November 4, 2024, and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 7, outlines multiple allegations of bribery and financial misappropriation during Ganduje’s tenure as Kano State governor from 2015 to 2023.
The former governor is also facing a recent fraud charge filed by the Kano State government.
The petition accuses Ganduje of operating a scheme to siphon funds through multiple accounts and converting them into cash and foreign currencies between 2020 and 2023. It further alleges multiple instances of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and misappropriation.
A total of 143 witnesses, including local government cashiers, currency exchange operators, and former bank employees, are expected to testify against him.
Ganduje has previously denied allegations of corruption.
During his tenure, he appeared before the state assembly, represented by then-Commissioner for Information Muhammad Garba, who claimed that a circulated video purporting to show Ganduje accepting bribes was an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
Ganduje stated he had never engaged in bribery, citing past “false reports” against other notable figures, including the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, and former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.
In the recent petition, co-signed by Dr. Johnson Nebechi and Comrade Umar Ideresu, the National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) underscored the urgency of the allegations, calling for immediate EFCC intervention.
“In 2023, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) invited Ganduje for questioning, but he did not honor the invitation,” NACA stated.
“A Kano State High Court also set April 17, 2024, for Ganduje’s arraignment on eight counts, including a $413,000 bribe and the misappropriation of N1.38 billion.”
The coalition further alleged a misappropriation of N57.43 billion and demanded the EFCC “act swiftly to arrest and prosecute Ganduje, recover misappropriated funds, and uphold its mandate to combat corruption in Nigeria.”
“The Nigerian people deserve transparency, accountability, and justice,” NACA emphasized. “We expect the EFCC to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating corruption by pursuing this case with diligence and vigor.”
As of this report, Ganduje has not responded to the latest allegations.
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