This was contained in a charge sheet dated April 3, 2024, with a 15 prosecution witness list attached, and obtained by NewMailNG.

The listed defendants are: Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar,  Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

One of the counts said that Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometimes, between the period of January 10, 2016 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant in the government of Kano State corruptly asked for and received the sum of $ 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) as benefit for himself from one of the beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Kano State Government on his instruction and approval as part of his function as the Governor of Kano State.

The document said such action amounted to official corruption contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law No. 2 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.

The count document reads further: “That you, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of February 10, 2017 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant, the government of Kano State Respondents agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act, to wit, dishonestly and/or corruptly to your own advantage, collected a kick back of the sum of $ 213,000 (Two Hundred And Thirteen Thousand United State Government contact and or project for the remodeling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent).

The document stated that the former governor thereby committed the offence of official corruption contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law No2 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.

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In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje urged the party’s standard-bearer to carry other aspirants along to deliver the party in the September 21 governorship election.

He hailed the Governor Hope Uzodinma Election Committee, noting that its transparency in the conduct of the primaries was commendable.

The national chairman urged aspirants to “put aside their differences now that the primary election is over and support the winner to deliver the party at the election.

Ganduje said: “I congratulate the winner of the Edo State governorship election. I want to equally commend and appreciate Governor Uzodinma’s election committee for their hard work and the transparent manner in which the primary election was conducted.”

Former Chairman of APC in Edo State, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), who was among the 12 screened and cleared governorship aspirants that participated in Saturday’s direct primary election, Sunday insisted that Idahosa remained APC’s standard-bearer for the coming poll.

The youthful representative of Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives, who was commissioner for Investments and Public-Private Partnerships in the administration of former governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said APC’s choice (Idahosa) had the capacity, experience and maturity to move Edo forward from November 12.

Imuse said: “I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Dennis Idahosa, on securing the APC governorship candidacy in Edo State. “The triumph signifies a promising future, not only for our esteemed party, the APC, but also for the well-being of our beloved Edo State.”

The representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who was declared winner by Dr. Stanley Ughoaja at a parallel governorship primary election also in Benin, yesterday kicked against the congratulatory message by Ganduje, for Idahosa.

He described the message as misleading and an attempt to give credence to Idahosa’s victory.

Okpebholo, through the Director of Media and Publicity of his governorship campaign organisation, Godswill Inegbe, said APC’s national chairman, as the father and respected leader of the party, should not have hurriedly issued a congratulatory message, despite the controversies.

The senator said he had confidence in the state and national leaders of APC to ensure justice.

The crisis rocking the outcome of the Edo APC governorship primary election took a new turn Sunday, as a support group of the party, the APC Stakeholders Forum, asked the National Working Committee (NWC) to disregard the declaration of Idahosa as the winner of the party’s shadow election.

Rather, the group asked Dr. Ganduje to endorse Anamero Dekeri as the authentic candidate of the party.

The group said Idahosa’s declaration by Uzodimma should be declared null and void, noting that the committee lacked power to usurp the duties and responsibilities of local government returning officers in the primary election.

Invalidating Idahosa’s victory at a news conference in Abuja, the Chairman of the Forum, Emmanuel Godwin, said the purported announcement of Idahosa is null and void and should be disregarded in its entirety, adding that Governor Uzodimma lacked the power to usurp the duties and responsibilities of local government returning officers in the primaries.

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The party secretariat located along Maiduguri road, which barely had any scripture or picture on its building, now has the picture of its gubernatorial candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the state party chairman, Abdullahi Abbas.

This is coming barely 24 hours to the commencement of hearing at the Supreme Court in the case of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on the state governorship dispute.

Recall that both the election petition tribunal and the Appeal Court have delivered judgement in favour of the APC.

The Secretariat was ransacked barely three hours after the announcement of incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the winner of the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state by some unknown hoodlums.

Everything attached to the building or kept inside it was either taken away or destroyed including doors and windows.

Since then, it was kept under the watch of security operatives until lately when it began undergoing some major repairs and rehabilitation.

However, the old building is now looking like a newly erected structure catching the attention of every passer-by.

Speaking about the development, a party member met at the building who asked not to be mentioned said the new look was in anticipation of Gawuna’s victory should the Supreme Court rule in his favour.

See the pictures below:

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Also expected at the meeting are Vice President Kashim Shettima and his predecessor, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who also left the Villa on May 29.

The meeting, which had been postponed twice, was initially fixed for July 10 but shifted to July 18 due to external engagements of President Tinubu.

The last postponement was 24 hours before the meeting, following the voluntary resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and th3e erstwhile Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

A statement last weekend in Abuja by Acting Secretary Festus said the meeting will hold at 6 p.m.

The APC National Caucus meeting precedes the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for tomorrow at the Congress Hall of Transcrop Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

Also, a crucial meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) was held at the party’s national secretariat yesterday to fine-tune the agenda for the caucus and NEC meetings.

A source within the NWC told our correspondent that the caucus meeting is expected among other party issues to deliberate on the agenda for the NEC meeting fixed for tomorrow.

It will also consider and approve the nomination of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru as the next National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

Also expected at the caucus meeting are all NWC members (except the five national deputies) along with past and present Presidents and Deputy President of the Senate, present and past Speakers of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speakers as well as serving Majority and Minority Leaders, Whips and their Deputies in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Also expected at the crucial meeting are past and present governors, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the National Advisory Council of the party, former National Chairmen and National Secretaries of the party, Zonal Chairmen with two members of each zone, one of whom shall be the Zonal Vice Chairman and the other a woman as well as other members as may be co-opted or appointed by the National Executive Committee.

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There have been rumours suggesting that Ganduje, immediate-past governor of Kano, is being favoured to become APC chairman.

Adamu and Iyiola Omisore, former national secretary of the party, relinquished their positions this week.

In a statement on Thursday, Lukman said anointing the former governor as chairman would distort the party’s zoning arrangement.

He added that it would be “political suicide” if the chairmanship goes to the north-west, where Ganduje hails from.

“So far, as things are, only the president and governors’ blocs are active in the negotiation to produce and engage leaders of APC,” Lukman said.

“Already, part of the speculations emerging from the governors bloc is that Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is being considered to succeed Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

“If this is true, it only suggests insensitivity and taking members of the party for granted.

“This is without prejudice to the person of Dr. Ganduje.

“This is because such a choice will completely distort the zoning arrangement that informed the present configuration of the leadership of the national assembly.

“With the speaker of house of representatives and deputy senate president coming from north-west and north-central shut out of consideration, to propose the party’s national chairman to move to north-west from north-central will be unjust and almost a political suicide.”

Lukman said the position of national chairman should remain in the north-central.

“We must caution our governors that since the emergence of APC, governors have served almost as the conscience of the party,” he said.

“Any consideration for such an insensitive and unjust consideration of Dr. Ganduje to become the national chairman of APC must be discarded.

“If anything, the position of national chairman of the APC must be retained in north-central.”

The post It’ll be political suicide to replace Adamu with Ganduje as APC chair – Likman appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The Court presided over by Justice A. M Liman gave the restraining order upon an ex parte application by Counsel to the Applicant, B. Hemba.

Recall that the anti-graft agency have invited the former governor, Ganduje over an alleged dollar video.

The Court similarly restrained 7 other respondents in the case from further action.

Joined in the suit were eight respondents which includes, Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano State, State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Others are, Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General of Kano State and Kano state Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Court restrained all the respondents from harassing, arresting, inviting or detaining the immediate past Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his family or any appointee who served under his administration, pending the hearing and determination of substantive originating motion.

The order reads, “Restraining the Respondents weather by themselves or acting through their officers, men, operatives, agents, or any persons or group of persons howsoever described from harassing, intimidating, harassing, detaining the Applicant or his children or any member of his family or any appointee who served under the administration of the Applicant, pending the hearing and determination of substantive originating motion,”

“An order restraining the Respondents weather by themselves or acting through their officers, men, operatives, agents, privies, or any persons or group of persons howsoever described from harassing, arresting, inviting or detaining Applicant or his children or any member of his family or any appointee who served under his administration or forcefully taking over properties of his children or any member of his family or any appointee who served under his administration, pending the hearing and determination of substantive originating motion,” the order reads.

Justice Liman however ordered that the interim order shall operate pending the hearing of the motion for the enforcement of the Fundamental Human Rights, which is fixed for 14th July, 2023.

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He was arrested alongside five others over allegation of N1billion fraud.

It was gathered that the commissioner was also Managing Director, Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Permanent Secretary, Public Procurement Bureau, Mustapha Madaki Huguma, Director of Finance, Director of Research and Planning with others were arrested on Monday evening over allegation of withdrawing over N1billion for the rehabilitation of 30 roads and drainage in the metropolis that was not carried out.

A source in the commission who asked not to be mentioned confirmed to our reporter that those arrested were undergoing interrogation and would be arraign before the court immediately investigation is completed.

The money in question was said to have been withdrawn in three batches, paid into account of three companies around April 25th, 2023. while those arrested have made confessional statement of payment for jobs not done according to a source.

‘’The Due Process office said the certificate of no objection was issued because Kano Road Maintenance Agency said the rehabilitation of the roads would be carried out through direct labour but the papers submitted read otherwise.’’

The companies are North stone Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Arfat Multiresources Ltd and 1st Step Construction Ltd.

When he appeared before a Trust TV programme last week, reinstated chairman of the anti-graft commission, Barrister Muhuyi Magajin Rimin-Gado, pledged to reopen the investigation against  Ganduje on some controversial videos.

Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors

But Rimin-Gado, who was removed by Ganduje after some altercation, and reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the probe was necessary.

Reminded of what he said on the dollar videos in a previous interview, Rimin-Gado said, “I mean every word I said when I was in office. We opened an investigation but there were certain limitations then because he was the incumbent governor.

“Every incumbent governor, deputy governor or president has immunity. Now that limit is no more. The commission will do what is necessary.”

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The journalist had published video clips of the governor in October 2018, allegedly showing him collecting dollars, believed to be kickbacks from contractors handling various projects awarded by the Kano State Government.

But in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday March 19, the governor said they were making plans to deal with those who released the videos.

In the face of the renewed threats, the journalist wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Adamu, Mohammed Adamu, through his counsel, Barrister Abdullahi Gumel.

Part of the petition reads: “That our client (Jaafar Jaafar) has de facto been made persona non-grata in his home state and lives in perpetual fear in the rest of the country including Abuja. Thus, he and his family have essentially been hiding for fear of their lives.

“As if the above was not enough, Mr Ganduje recently indicated that he and his supporters are scheming underground to “deal with” our client. Ganduje made this statement on a popular BBC Hausa program “A Fada A Cika” which aired on the 19th March 2021. He insisted that he would not reveal their plans despite an opportunity to clarify what he meant.

“It is our clients’ and our firm belief that by the above statement, Ganduje clearly said that he and his supporters are scheming to harm our client. This is also an approval or ratification of his supporters past stalking, harassment and threats to our client. Importantly, Ganduje is by this statement instigating, inciting, aiding, abetting and procuring his supporters (especially those he is working secretly with) to harm our client, his family and property. This has caused our client unprecedented fear of violence and has alarmed and distressed him.

“Sir, the above facts must be seen in the contest of the fact that Mr Ganduje, being a sitting Governor and member of the ruling party, is one of the most powerful politicians in Nigeria. He has thousands of diehard supporters, including those directly and indirectly employed by him. Thus, his words carry weight in the minds of thousands of supporters across Nigeria who may be incited to attack our client.

“Sir, we believe you will agree with us that journalism and whistleblowing are not a crime. It is our clients’ belief that the footages they published, which they firmly stand to this day, are genuine and the accompanying stories are truthful and fair account of the circumstances surrounding the footages.

“It worthy of note that Mr Ganduje has instituted an action for defamation which are client is vehemently and successfully defending in court. However, Mr Ganduje has apparently lost faith in the merit of his suit, hence, this unground planning that he said he is orchestrating.

“It is against this backdrop that we write to you urging you intervene to: (a) investigate what Mr Ganduje is scheming, with whom and how and halt same; (b) protect our clients from further harm, threats and harassment from Ganduje and his supporters; and (c) get Mr Ganduje to issue a statement calling on his supporters and cronies to stop threatening and harassing our clients.

“Sir, we are aware that Ganduje is a sitting governor and a member of the ruling party, but our clients hope that you will not let this inhibit your ability to handle his complaint professionally, diligently and speedily.

“In view of the forgoing, the governor should be held responsible if anything happened to our client.”

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