We have evidence against you, Kano anti-graft agency replies Sanusi

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has described as misrepresentation of facts, the response of Muhammadu Sanusi II, emir of Kano, to a query the state government issued to him.

The administration of Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, had asked Sanusi to respond to the accusation that N3.4 billion was misappropriated under his watch.

In his response, the monarch said he is not the accounting officer of the emirate and made it clear that he did not inherit up to N2 billion.

But in a report, Muhuyi Magaji, chairman of the agency, said there was evidence against Sanusi.

The report, with reference number PCAC/GEN/6/VOL.I, dated June 11, 2019, was addressed to the secretary to the state government.

Part of the report read: “In furtherance to the Commission’s earlier communication No. PCAC/GEN/6/V.I, dated 31st May, 2019, on the above subject matter and the unfolding events, the Commission deemed it necessary to make some clarifications as follows:-

“It is imperative to state categorically that, the Commission’s investigation is on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures but not on the funds left behind by the Late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and we still maintain our stance.

“In the cause of investigation we undertook an analysis of the main Account belonging to Kano Emirate Council and domicile at First Bank with Account No. 2005888452 starting from the era of the Late Emir to enable the Commission have an idea of how the money is being managed.”

According to the report, there were 783 activities bordering on withdrawals, transfers and placements from January 2, 2013, and June 6, 2014, during the time of the late emir.

“As from 2nd January 2013 to 13th April, 2017, the opening balance is N432,338,412.98. Total credit made in the account during this period was N6,784,146,335.73 while the total debit during the period under review is N7,209,035,163.09,” it said.

However, it added that, “the closing balance as at April, 2017, is N7,449,585.62″.

It said on February 13, 2014, and February 26, 2014, payments were made to Philko Ltd, the company said to have undertook the construction of Ado Bayero Royal City via Inter Bank transfers of N776,159,519.50.

“There were transfers of N388,079,759.75, N338,079,759.75 and N50,000,000.00 made on February 13, 2014, and February 26, 2014, respectively; making the total quoted figures for Philko Ltd,” it said.

The report also alleged that during the period, fixed deposit placements were made to the tune of N581,884,729.54 (placement and rollovers) while net withdrawals on some engagements both cash and withdrawal stood at N1,056,533,728.31.

“In summary, the total withdrawal made from the Account under the Late Emir was N2,414,577,977.35, subtracting this amount from total debit on the account which is N7,209,035,163.09,” it said..

“It is evidently clear that the current Emir is responsible for the expenditures to the total sum of N4,794,457,185.74 from the Emirate Council Account domicile in First Bank Plc.”

Similarly, it alleged that all the expenditures made by the emirate council were either based on the approval or instructions of Sanusi.

The commission attached copy of a payment voucher in respect of one of the withdrawals to buttress its claim, which read “Being payment to the above named in respect of making special prayers for peace as directed by H.H. Emir of Kano respectively.

“Therefore, any claim that the Emir is not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council is a deception and a misrepresentation of facts.

“Specifically, the reason of our recommendation for the suspension apart from obstruction of investigation which formed the basis, investigation further reveals that Rufa’i Buhari (senior accountant) usually made cash withdrawals directly from the account and change it to dollars on behalf of the emir.

“Sometimes direct transfers from the account are made to a bureau de change belonging to one Jazuli Sani who was said to have died.

“The Commission still maintain the allegation on unappropriated, seemingly personal expenditures, making the total sum of questionable expenditures uncovered by this investigation to the tune of N3,432,090,797.94 only.”