The Kano State Government has filed a lawsuit at the Kano State High Court against former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, two of his sons, and several associates over alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to ₦4.49 billion.
The suit, filed on October 13, 2025, also seeks to recover the state’s 20 per cent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited, which the government claims was fraudulently transferred to private ownership during Ganduje’s administration.
Those listed as defendants include Ganduje’s sons, Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, a former Special Adviser; Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council; Adamu Aliyu Sanda, a legal practitioner; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants face ten counts bordering on conspiracy, breach of trust, diversion of public assets, and conflict of interest. Prosecutors allege that the accused persons conspired to transfer 80 per cent shares of the dry port project, including Kano State’s 20 per cent equity, to a private company known as City Green Enterprise.
Investigators claim the move was disguised to conceal the true ownership of the project, which was originally designed to strengthen Kano’s economic infrastructure. The prosecution maintains that the deal deprived the state of its rightful stake in a federal initiative meant to create jobs and improve trade logistics in northern Nigeria.
Officials familiar with the investigation alleged that over ₦4.49 billion of public funds was siphoned under the guise of constructing infrastructure for the port, including roads, electricity supply, and perimeter fencing.
“These projects were financed with state funds but structured to benefit private firms connected to the accused persons,” a source close to the investigation said. “It was a coordinated misuse of public resources.”
Court documents indicate that the initial board of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited included a state representative, Abdullahi Haruna, but the alleged share transfer was carried out unilaterally by the former governor without board approval.
Prosecutors insist they will prove that the process was neither transparent nor legal, describing it as “an abuse of power that converted public investments into private property.”
Read also: Kano Anti-Graft Agency Probes Alleged ₦4bn Diversion Under Ganduje’s Administration
The case will feature testimonies from key witnesses, including the lead investigating officer and early stakeholders in the project. Among the evidence expected to be tendered are financial records, internal communications, and a policy document from the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo affirming Kano State’s equity stake in the dry port.
Investigators also traced a ₦750 million transaction linked to Safari Textile Ltd, one of several companies alleged to have served as fronts in the diversion of funds.
Although the court is yet to fix a trial date, the case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Ubale of the Kano State High Court.
A senior official from the Ministry of Justice said the government remains committed to recovering all public funds and assets linked to the matter. “This is not about politics or personal vendetta,” the official stated. “It’s about ensuring accountability and protecting the people’s resources.”
Efforts to contact Ganduje or members of his legal team for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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