Kano files fresh charges against Ganduje over ‘N57bn fraud’

The Kano government has filed fresh charges against Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of the state.

Ganduje was charged alongside Murtala Garo, a former commissioner of local government, Lamin Sani and Muhammad Takai.

They were accused of diverting N57 billion meant for the 44 LGAs of the state. The defendants are accused of converting the sum into dollars for personal use.

The fresh charges are coming about a month after the state government filed charges accusing Ganduje and Musa Lawan, former attorney-general of the state, of diverting N240 million.

In the charge sheet, the state said it will call 143 witnesses.

The state alleged that the defendants acquired a serviced apartment on the Murtala Muhammad Way, a commercial apartment at Akoya Oxygen-x20868 Dubai in Tigerwood, plot 2201 Floor 22 Damac Height, Marsa Dubai Marina, and a multi billion naira hotel in Jabi, Abuja.

Others are filling stations on Gwarzo Road and Eastern Bypass in Kano.

No date has been fixed to hear the matter.

On April 4, the Kano government filed a suit against Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, his wife; and six others before the state’s high court.

The six others include Ganduje’s son, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd., Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.