A coalition of anti-corruption teams has petitioned the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), calling for the arrest and prosecution of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Kano State Governor and present nationwide chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
The petition, dated November 4, 2024, and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 7, 2024, outlines allegations of bribery and misappropriation in opposition to Ganduje.
Ganduje’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023 has been marked by corruption accusations, together with a current fraud cost from the Kano State authorities. This cost claims he diverted over ₦57.43 billion meant for Kano’s 44 native authorities areas, allegedly utilizing these funds to amass luxurious properties domestically and internationally.
Different allegations in opposition to Ganduje contain a scheme to syphon funds by way of varied accounts, changing them into money and foreign currency echange between 2020 and 2023, together with costs of felony conspiracy, breach of belief, and misappropriation. Testimonies from 143 witnesses, together with native authorities cashiers, overseas forex trade operators, and former financial institution workers, are anticipated.
Within the petition co-signed by Dr. Johnson Nebechi and Comrade Umar Ideresu, the Nationwide Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) states: “Ganduje’s historical past of corruption is well-documented. In 2018, Day by day Nigerian revealed a video allegedly exhibiting him receiving $5 million as bribe from contractors.”6“In 2023, the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Fee (PCACC) invited Ganduje for questioning, however he didn’t honor the invitation. A Kano State Excessive Courtroom additionally scheduled his arraignment on April 17, 2024, on eight counts involving an alleged $413,000 bribe and misappropriation of N1.38 billion.”
“NACA calls for that the EFCC take swift motion, arresting and prosecuting Ganduje, investigating the alleged diversion of ₦57.43 billion, and recovering the misappropriated funds.”
“We urge the EFCC to uphold its mandate to fight corruption and defend public pursuits. The Nigerian folks deserve transparency, accountability, and justice.”
