KANO: Govt files fresh charge against Ganduje, three others over alleged ₦57.4b fraud

The charges, thoroughly prepared and submitted by the Kano State Ministry of Justice, accuse the defendants of conspiring to misappropriate over ₦57.43 billion intended for the 44 local government areas in Kano State.

This substantial amount, earmarked for developmental initiatives and public services, was reportedly redirected into personal accounts and utilized to purchase luxurious properties both domestically and internationally.

The charge sheet names Garo, Lamin Sani, and Muhammad Takai, accusing them of “criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, making false statements or returns, and criminal misappropriation.”

The state’s charges claim that they mishandled the statutory allocations deposited into the State Joint Local Governments account from the Federation account, asserting that they illegally diverted ₦57.4 billion through various local government cashiers’ personal accounts as well as other personal and corporate accounts.

“The state government also accused them of converting these funds into U.S. dollars for their personal gain,” the charge sheet states. “They purchased a service apartment on Murtala Muhammad Way, a commercial property at Akoya Oxygen – x20868 Dubai in Tigerwood, as well as plot 2201 Floor 22 Damac Height, Marsa Dubai Marina, and a multi-billion naira hotel in Jabi, Abuja.”

Other properties mentioned include filling stations located on Gwarzo Road Kano and Eastern Bypass Kano.

The prosecution alleges that between 2020 and 2023, the defendants devised a scheme to siphon funds through various accounts, converting them into cash and foreign currencies.

The case, filed in accordance with Section 211 of the Nigerian Constitution and various provisions of the Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (2019), includes several counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and misappropriation.

The prosecution’s case is supported by a comprehensive list of 143 witnesses, including local government cashiers, foreign currency exchange operators, and former bank staff, who are expected to provide critical testimony regarding the defendants’ illicit activities and the complex methods employed to launder the embezzled funds.

Among the key witnesses is Inspector Muhammad Nuhu, who will testify about the discovery of properties connected to the second defendant, Murtala Sule Garo, in Dubai.

Another witness, Labaran Kura, is expected to discuss his business interactions with the defendants, detailing how they converted large sums of money into U.S. dollars.

The charges have been brought under the authority of the Attorney General of Kano State, with a legal team that includes Ya’u A. Adamu Esq, Usman Fari Esq, Auwal Abdulqadir Sani Esq, and Hope Chukwunyere C. Esq.

This case is poised to become a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption, potentially establishing a precedent for prosecuting high-ranking officials involved in financial misconduct.

While no date has yet been fixed for the proceeding, the people of Kano State and Nigeria as a whole are keenly anticipating the developments, hoping for justice and accountability following this significant corruption scandal.