A petition calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former Kano State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has been sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Vanguard reports that the petition was written by a coalition of 51 anti-corruption organisations.
The petition, dated November 4, 2024 and approved by the EFCC on November 7, 2024, contains numerous allegations of bribery and embezzlement against the former governor.
Ganduje 2015-2023 term as governor was marred by corruption allegations, including the recent fraud charges filed by the Kano State government.
His tenure was also reportedly plagued by allegations of nepotism, cronyism and embezzlement. Specific charges against Ganduje include orchestrating a fraudulent management scheme between 2020 and 2023, as well as multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and embezzlement.
A total of 143 witnesses, including local government tellers, foreign exchange bureaus and former bankers, are expected to give key testimony.
In the petition filed by the doctor, the National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA), jointly signed by its convener, Mr. Johnson Nebechi, and chairman, Comrade Umar Ideres, respectively, said the allegations warrant immediate investigation and action.
The petition reads: “Ganduje’s history of corruption is well documented. In 2018, the Daily Nigerian published a video showing him receiving benefits from contractors.
“In 2023, the Kano State Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, invited Mr. Ganduje for questioning but he did not respond to the invitation.
“The Kano State High Court also set April 17, 2024 for Ganduje’s arraignment on eight charges relating to the alleged embezzlement of 1.38 billion naira.
“NACA calls on the EFCC to act swiftly, arrest and prosecute Mr. Ganduje, investigate the alleged embezzlement and recover the embezzled funds.
“We call on the EFCC to fulfill its mandate to fight corruption, protect the public interest and ensure transparency, accountability and justice for Nigerians.
“Nigerians deserve transparency, accountability and justice. We expect the EFCC to demonstrate its commitment to rooting out corruption by pursuing this case vigorously and vigorously.”