In a stunning development, the Ganduje ward leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State has announced the suspension of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former governor of Kano state and current national chairman of APC.
This suspension is pending the outcome of corruption charges filed against him.
Advertorial
The announcement came during a press briefing held in Kano, with Malama Haladu Gwanja Ganduje, the legal advisor, reading the ward party leadership’s resolution.
The decision was made “for posterity sake,” as stated by Malama Haladu Gwanja Ganduje.
In response to the suspension, the APC Secretary in Kano, Zakari Sarina, stated, “this is a case of impersonation. We will be issuing a formal statement on this very soon.”
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had previously instituted two panels to investigate corruption and political violence spanning from 2015 to 2023, during Ganduje’s tenure as governor.
Consequently, a Kano High Court has set April 17, 2024, as the date for the arraignment of Ganduje, his wife, and six others on eight-count charges, including dollar bribery allegations and misappropriation of funds amounting to $413,000 and N1.38bn.
The respondents in the suit include 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, in the criminal suit, has prepared 15 witnesses to appear before the Court. The case is scheduled to be heard before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.
Confirming the development, the State Attorney General, Haruna Isah Dederi, affirmed that Ganduje and others would be arraigned on the said date.
He emphasized the significance of accountability and the rule of law, stating, “You cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”
