The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has faced suspension from the party by members of his ward, Ganduje Ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.
This action was taken in response to alleged corruption charges brought against him by the state government. The Kano High Court has scheduled Ganduje’s arraignment for April 17, 2024, on accusations related to bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds, including the alleged acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38 billion in bribes.
The Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, confirmed that Ganduje, along with his wife and six others, will be arraigned. The individuals named in the writ of summon are Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.
The Kano State Government, as the plaintiff in the criminal case, has prepared to present 15 witnesses before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.
Dederi emphasized the importance of accountability in governance, stating that evading accountability is not a viable option. He highlighted the significance of the impending legal proceedings as a deterrent for those in government, underscoring the need for adherence to the rule of law.
Regarding the jurisdictional aspect of the case, Dederi clarified that the offence falls under state jurisdiction, refuting claims that the prosecution should be a federal matter. He mentioned that appeals have been made concerning the jurisdictional ruling by Justice Liman.
