Kano Govt Drags Ex‑Governor Ganduje, Sons to Court over Alleged ₦4.49bn Misappropriation
The Kano State Government has instituted legal proceedings against former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, two of his sons, and several associates before the Kano State High Court, over allegations of misappropriation of public funds amounting to ₦4.49 billion.
The suit, filed on October 13, 2025, seeks to recover the state’s 20% equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and to reclaim the sum of ₦4,492,387,013.76, which the government alleges was unlawfully diverted.
Those listed as defendants include Dr. Ganduje, his sons Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar, former Special Adviser Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council Hassan Bello, legal practitioner Adamu Aliyu Sanda, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited itself.
The defendants face a 10‑count charge, which covers allegations of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons allegedly conspired to fraudulently transfer 80% of the dry port’s shares, including Kano State’s 20% equity, to private interests through a shell company known as City Green Enterprise. Prosecutors contend that the transaction was deliberately structured to conceal the true ownership of a project originally conceived to boost Kano’s economic infrastructure.
The prosecution further alleges that over ₦4.49 billion in state funds was misappropriated under the guise of financing infrastructure at the dry port, including the construction of a dual carriageway, electricity supply, and perimeter fencing. While these projects were funded with public resources, they were allegedly structured to benefit private entities linked to the defendants.
Evidence so far indicates that the initial board of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited included a representative of Kano State, Abdullahi Haruna. However, the alleged transfer of shares was executed solely by former Governor Ganduje, without the consent or approval of other board members.
Court filings are expected to include a policy document from the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which affirms Kano State’s 20% equity in the port. The prosecution also highlights the role of the fourth defendant in verifying the state’s equity, describing it as a central issue in the case. Additional evidence is anticipated as the trial progresses.
