Kano, Nigeria –In a significant development, the Kano State government has filed a fresh lawsuit against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
The former governor of Kano State is now facing new legal troubles as the case has been brought before a Kano State High Court.
Also implicated in the fresh suit is Ganduje’s former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Bar. Musa Lawan. The charges, filed by prosecution counsel Auwal Abdulqadir Esq, include four counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, and making false statements.
The charges detail that between November 2022, Ganduje and Lawan, in their capacities as Governor and Attorney General respectively, allegedly conspired to misappropriate and convert 240 million Naira for personal benefit, causing financial loss to the state.
The legal document specifies the accusations:
- Criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of The Penal Code.
- Criminal breach of trust contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of The Penal Code.
- Criminal misappropriation contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 309 of The Penal Code.
- Making false statements or returns contrary to Section 26 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008.
The prosecution has listed four witnesses to testify against Ganduje and Lawan. However, a date for the commencement of the trial is yet to be set.
This suit follows a recent ruling by Justice Amina Adamu, which ordered Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, and son, Umar, along with five others, to face trial in absentia on charges of bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
As the legal battles intensify, the political landscape in Kano and the broader APC structure may witness significant shifts.
The ongoing legal proceedings against Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje have raised numerous questions about the impact on his current role as the National Chairman of the APC.
Political analysts suggest that these developments could influence the party’s internal dynamics and its public perception ahead of upcoming elections.
Observers are keenly watching how the APC leadership will respond to these allegations and what measures, if any, will be taken to address the potential fallout.
The case has already sparked widespread discussions about governance and accountability, not only within Kano State but across Nigeria.
In Kano, the reactions are mixed. Some residents view the legal actions as a necessary step towards ensuring justice and holding public officials accountable for their actions. Others perceive the suit as politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing Ganduje’s reputation and weakening his influence within the APC.
Meanwhile, Bar. Musa Lawan, the former Attorney General, has also come under intense scrutiny. His involvement in the case, alongside Ganduje, has further complicated his political and professional standing. Both men have maintained their innocence, with their legal teams preparing to contest the charges vigorously in court.
The situation remains fluid, with many awaiting further developments and the scheduling of the trial.
The outcome of these legal battles could have far-reaching implications for the political careers of those involved and the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria.
As the story unfolds, it is clear that the intersection of law and politics will continue to shape the discourse in Kano and beyond. The stakes are high, and the pursuit of justice will be closely monitored by all stakeholders.